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VOL. XII

[1910]

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013

http://archive.org/details/builesuibhnethef12okee

buile suibne

(THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE)

BEING

The Adventures of Suibhne Geilt

A MIDDLE-IRISH ROMANCE

EDITED

ifflUtf) translation, introduction, Notes, antr ffilossarg

BY

J. G. O'KEEFFE

LONDON
PUBLISHED FOR THE IRISH TEXTS SOCIETY

BY DAVID NUTT, 17 GRAPE ST., NEW OXFORD ST.

1913 FOSTON COTXFRK T.TRK4T?

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PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS,

BV PONSONBV AND GIBBS

CONTENTS

Introduction—

I

Summary

viii

II

Manuscripts

xiii

III

Age of the Tale

XV

IV

Battle of Magh Rath

xix

V

Suibhne Geilt

XXX

VI

Origin of the Tale

xxxii

VII

The Composition

xxxvi

Text axd Translation

• 2-159

Notes

.

• IÓI-I73

Brussels Version ....

. 174-178

Glossary

.

. 179-192

Index of First Lines of Poems .

193

Index of Places and Tribes

. 194-197

Index of Persons ....

198

1713

INTRODUCTION

I.— SUMMARY

The tale here edited and translated for the first time deals
with the adventures of Suibhne, surnamed Geilt, and described
as king of the Irish territory of Dal Araidhe, after his flight
from the battle of Magh Rath. Before proceeding to discuss
a number of important points arising out of this strange and
in many respects unique literary document, which has come
down to us from medieval Ireland, it will be convenient to
summarize it briefly.

§ 1-6. — St. Ronan Finn 'the Fair), Abbot of Druim
Ineasclainn (Drumiskin, Co. Louth), proceeds to mark
out the site of a church in Dal Araidhe. Suibhne, the
king of the territory, is angry thereat, and despite the
efforts of his wife Eorann — who in trying to hold him
drags the cloak off him leaving him naked — he sets
off to expel the cleric. Ronan is discovered chanting
his psalms. Suibhne seizes the psalter and flings it
into a lake. Just as Suibhne is dragging the cleric
away, a messenger arrives from Congal Claen, described
as king of Ulaidh, bidding Suibhne join him at Magh
Rath. Leaving the cleric behind, Suibhne proceeds
to Magh Rath. In the meantime an otter brings the
psalter uninjured out of the lake to Ronan. The latter
curses Suibhne, praying that he be ever wandering and
flying stark-naked throughout the world, that his death

b

INTRODUCTION

be from a spear, and that destruction be the lot of the
race of Colman — Suibhne's race — the day they set eyes
on Ronan's psalter.

§ 7-10. — Ronan intervenes at Magh Rath to make
peace between Domhnall, the High King, and Congal
Claen, but Suibhne thwarts his efforts. Moreover,
Suibhne slays one of Ronan's psalmists, and even
attempts to slay the cleric himself. Ronan again curses
Suibhne, praying that he ascend into the air, and that
his manner of death be that which had been meted out
to the psalmist.

§ 11-19.— The battle of Magh Rath follows; so
dreadful is the din that Suibhne literally flies, a stark
madman, out of the battle-field. He wanders throughout
Ireland and, after many adventures, arrives at Glen
Bolcain, a place sacred to the madmen of Ireland. It is
there — so the tale runs — the madmen of Ireland went
1 when their year of madness was complete.' Glen
Bolcain is described, also Suibhne's sufferings and
privations during his first year of madness.

§ 20-34. — He sets out again on his wanderings ; he
recounts his miseries, and tells how he lives on watercress
and water, and sleeps in ivy-bushes. For seven years he
wanders thus, and at the end of that time a kinsman
named Loingseachan, a miller, goes in search of him.
Loingseachan's care for Suibhne is exemplified by the
fact that he had already rescued Suibhne three times
from madness. Suibhne is angry at being discovered ;
he tells Loingseachan that it was Ronan's curses that
drove him to madness. Suibhne promises to go to his
wife. Eorann in the meantime appears to have taken
another mate, namely Guaire, Suibhne's successor in the
kingship of Dal Araidhe. Eorann receives Suibhne in a
friendly way ; she even longs to share his strange life ; but
their discourse is interrupted by the appearance of

SUMMARY xi

Guaire's followers, and Suibhne flies off to Ros Ercain,
where the erenagh's wife tries to tempt him.

§ 35-45. — His hiding-place is discovered by the nobles
of Dal Araidhe, who send Loingseachan to seize him.
Suibhne asks for news of his country, whereupon
Loingseachan tells him that his father, mother, brother,
wife, son, and daughter are dead. So moved is Suibhne
at the tidings that his senses come to him, and he
consents to go with Loingseachan. The latter then tells
him that his folk are still alive. Suibhne is taken in
charge by the nobles of Dal Araidhe, and his senses are
restored to him. He is entrusted to the care of
Loingseachan, but one day when Loingseachan has to
go out to reap, he is left in the charge of the woman who
looks after Loingseachan's mill. She is warned that she
must not speak to him, but speak she does, and she
:goads him into talking of his wild life ; he mentions his
feats of flying, and she urges him to fly. He does so, and
the woman flies after him, pursuing him from place to
place. Then follows (§ 40) the longest and, in many
respects, the most interesting poem in the story ; it opens
with a description of the trees of Ireland, after which
Suibhne recounts his own sorrows and sufferings. He
resumes his flight, but the hag still clings to him ; she
is killed, however, in trying to leap from the summit
of Dun Sobairce (Dunseverick). Then he leaves Dal
Araidhe, for he is afraid lest Loingseachan should kill
him to avenge the mill-hag. He goes to Ros Comain,
where he endures more hardships.

§ 46-58. — After further wanderings in Ireland he

proceeds to Britain, where he falls in with another

madman, Ealadhan. They interchange their histories

and enter into a compact of friendship. They spend

a year together and then part. Suibhne returns to

Ireland and goes to Magh Line, thence to Glen Bolcain,

bz

xii INTRODUCTION

where he encounters a mad woman. Then he goes to
his wife Eorann, who, seeing he is still mad, orders him
away, whereupon he indulges in further melancholy
reminiscences. He goes to Benn Boirche and describes
his life there.

§ 59-67. — He resolves to return to Dal Araidhe and
entrust himself to his people. His reason is returning,
but Ronan again curses him, with the result that
Suibhne encounters goblins on Sliabh Fuaid at mid-
night. Madness seizes him once more and he flies
away in terror. The pursuit of Suibhne by the goblins
is described ; he escapes from them. Again he recounts
his woes, harking back to the mill-hag and to the
spectres on Sliabh Fuaid.

§68-76. — After further wanderings, Suibhne goes (§74)
to Tech Moling, where he encounters Saint Moling, who
was reading the psalter of Caoimhghin (St. Kevin) at the
time to students. Moling welcomes Suibhne and tells
him that not only was his coming there prophesied, but
also the fact that he would die there. He binds Suibhne
that, however much he may wander during the day, he is
to return each night so that Moling may record his life-
story.

§ 77-78. — For a year Suibhne continues visiting
Moling, who has given orders to his cook that she is to
leave milk ready for him each evening. The cook was
Muirghil, wife of Moling's swineherd Mongan. Muirghil
used to dig her heel in the cowdung and leave the full of
the hole of new milk for Suibhne to drink. Muirghil
and another woman have a dispute ; the latter charges
Muirghil with preferring Suibhne to her husband. The
herd's sister, who was listening, tells Mongan, who
promptly thrusts a spear in Suibhne.

§ 79-83. — One of Moling's community, who witnessed
the deed and prophesied that evil would ensue from it,

THE MANUSCRIPTS xiii

reports the news to Moling. Moling gives Suibhne the
sacraments and both of them remonstrate with the herd.
Moling promises Suibhne that he will be in heaven as
long as himself.

§ 84-86. — A death-swoon comes on Suibhne. Moling
and his clerics each place a stone on Suibhne's tomb.
Moling delivers a funeral oration in prose and verse.
Suibhne rises out of the swoon, and Moling takes him to
church, where he dies. The tale ends : ' so far some of
the adventures of Suibhne son of Colman Cuar king
of Dal Araidhe.'

II.— THE MANUSCRIPTS

The Buile Suibhne occurs in one form or another, so far
as I am aware, in three manuscripts, viz. : —

B — B IV I. fo. 82a to 95b.

K — 23 K 44, p. 131 to 180.

L — Brussels, 3410, fo. 59a to 61b.1

B. — This is one of the most valuable MSS. of the famous
Stowe collection in the Royal Irish Academy. It is a paper
folio, and was written between the years 1671 and 1674 at
Sean Cua, Co. Sligo, by Daniel O'Duigenan,2 who was one
of the best of the later Irish scribes. The MS. contains, in
addition to the present text, the Banquet of Dun na nGedh>
the Battle of Magh Rath, the Adventures of the Two Idiot
Saints, and a considerable number of other pieces in prose
and verse. The whole is written in a clear flowing hand. I
have made this MS. the basis of my text ; I have but rarely

1 See Vol. V. of Rev. J. Van Den Gheyn's Catalogue of mss. in the Royal
Library, Brussels. This MS. was formerly numbered 2324-2340.

2 The dates are given in footnotes at folios 97a, 192a, and 197b.

xiv INTRODUCTION

departed from its readings, and where I have done so the fact
will be found indicated in the footnotes.1

K. — This is a quarto paper MS., also in the Royal Irish
Academy. It contains only the Banquet of Dun na nGedh,
the Battle of Magh Rath, and the present text. It was
written in 172 1-2 by Tomaltach Mac Muirghiosa for Seumas
Tiriall. This MS. was used by O'Donovan in his edition
of the Banquet of Dun na nGedh and Battle of Magh Rath,
published for the Irish Archaeological Society in 1842 ;
he refers to it throughout as Mac Morisey's copy. On the
whole, I consider that the readings of K are better than those
of B, and I would have made it the basis of my text were it
not that in the poems many stanzas which occur in B are
absent from K. The stanzas which have been omitted will be
found enumerated in the Notes.2

L. — This MS. is in the Royal Library, Brussels. I have
worked on it partly from a photograph and partly from a
partial transcript for which I am indebted to Professor Kuno
Meyer. The MS. was written by Michael O'Clery, one of the
Four Masters, in 1629. Michael O'Clery seems to have
handled the material before him very freely. Assuming that
he worked from an original as full as B or K, he condensed
the prose narratives very much and he omitted all the poetry
except occasional first lines. In fact he has omitted everything

1 The scribe has employed contractions very freely ; some of these I have
expanded silently, but wherever there appeared to me to be any doubt I have
indicated the expansions in italics.

2 I do not think that these omissions point to any special significance,
although it is somewhat curious that, except for a passage near the beginning,
there are no omissions from the prose. Some of the stanzas were possibly
omitted accidentally, some may have been omitted because they appeared obscure
to the scribe ; but I should say that most of them are traceable to a MS. in
which the particular stanzas were illegible. The omission of some final stanzas
and half stanzas seems to point clearly to an illegible MS. No scribe of any merit
would deliberately omit a final stanza; one of the most stringent rules of Irish
verse required that the concluding word of a poem should repeat the whole or
part of the first word of the poem.

DATE OF TALE xv

from § 13 to § 62 inclusive, merely explaining that Suibhne
spent his life in madness through Ireland and Britain 'as
the book written about himself, entitled the Buile Suibhne,
affirms.'1 L therefore stands by itself, and I have only made
use of it in the edition here published in a few instances in
which it supplied an interesting reading or assisted in clearing
up difficult passages. As the summary is brief and may
possess interest for students, I have thought it well to print it
in full. It will be found at the close of the Notes. So far as
the present tale is concerned, all three MSS. seem to me to be
immediately independent of each other. On score of date
alone, L stands by itself, and, being only a summary, neither
B nor K can have been taken from it. K, the latest MS. in the
matter of date, might have been copied from B, but on internal
evidence this is, I think, out of the question. The verbal
differences, though rarely of importance, are too numerous
to admit of the possibility of its being a copy. Moreover, on
linguistic grounds, K seems to me to be nearer the archetype
than B. For this same reason, and especially in view of the
omissions from K already referred to, I do not think it is
even likely that both texts were taken from the same parent ;
it is much more probable that both, perhaps all three, go back
two or three generations to a common ancestor.

III.—DATE OF TALE

The dates of the MSS. afford no criterion as to the probable
date of the tale. From a linguistic point of view the text
belongs to that indefinite period which covers late Middle-Irish
and early Modern-Irish. Until the history of Middle-Irish
has been thoroughly investigated from dated texts it will be
impossible to establish on linguistic grounds with any degree

1 See footnote I, $ 12.

xvi INTRODUCTION

of approximation the age of undated Middle-Irish texts. An
odd archaic word or form occurs here and there in our text,
but that proves nothing. Neither does the existence, which
is fairly common, of the infixed pronouns of the first and
second persons singular. These were freely employed down
to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. On linguistic
grounds it may be safely said, I think, that the text might
have been composed at any time between the years 1200 and
1 500. Further on I endeavour to show that the three tales,
the Banquet of Dun na nGedh, the Battle of Magh Rath,
and the Buile Suibhne, are closely related ; they form in
themselves a small story-cycle, and all the evidence points to
the fact that they have come down, generally speaking, from
the same period. O'Donovan, in the introduction to his
edition of the Battle of Magh Rath, discussing the question
of the age of the tale, observes that it was ' unquestionably
intended to flatter the descendants of its hero, king Domhnal,
grandson of Ainmire, while his race were in full power in the
north of Ireland ; and, therefore, that its author must have
lived before the year 1197, when Flaithbhertach O'Muldory,
the last chief of Tirconnell of this monarch's family, died.
How long before that year the date of this composition should
be placed cannot now be well ascertained, but when the whole
case is duly weighed, it will be seen that it could never
have been written after the extinction of the race of the
monarch on whom the exploits described reflect so much
glory.'

Of more importance, however, in this connexion is the
following reference to Suibhne Geilt in the early Irish law
tract entitled the Book of Aicill. 'Three were the triumphs
{buadhd) of that battle (i.e. the battle of Magh Rath) : the
defeat of Congal Claen in his falsehood by Domhnall in
his truth, and Suibhne Geilt having become mad, and
Cennfaeladh's brain of forgetfulness having been taken from
his head. And Suibhne Geilt having become mad is not

DATE OF TALE xvii

a reason why the battle is a triumph, but it is because of
the stories and poems he left after him in Ireland.'1

If, as I think would be generally accepted, the Book of Aicill
took shape in the ninth or, at the latest, tenth century, it
is evident that the tradition which associated the madness of
Suibhne — as well as his poems and the stories respecting him —
with the battle of Magh Rath was rife at an earlier date. Of
some importance too in this connexion is the curious
riddling poem, ascribed to Suibhne Geilt, which exists in an
Irish MS. in the monastery of St. Paul in Carinthia.2

M 'airiuclán hi Tuaim Inbir
ni lántechdais bes sestu
cona retglannaib a réir

Gobban durigni insin
conecestar duib astoir
mu chridecan dia du nim
is hé tugatoir rodtoig.

Tech inna fera flechod
maigen na áigder rindi
soilsidir bid hi lugburt
ose cen udnucht nimbi.

My little oratory in Tuaim Inbir.
it is not a full house that is . .
with its stars last night,
with its sun, with its moon.

i Ancient Laws of Ireland, Vol. in., p. 89 ; this is given, though with some
differences, in the Banquet of Dun na nGedh, ed. O'Donovan, p. 84.

2 See Thes. Palaeohib, Vol. 11., pp. xxxil, 294 ; also Thurneysen, Handbuch
des Alt-Irischen, Vol. 11., p. 39.

xviii INTRODUCTION

Gobban hath built that —

that its story may be told to you —

my heartlet, God from heaven,

He is the thatcher who hath thatched it.

A house wherein wet rain pours not,

a place wherein thou fearest not spear-points,

bright as though in a garden

and it without a fence around it.

This poem has been variously assigned to the eighth and
ninth centuries. It is worthy of note in passing that, of the
four poems which make up the contents of the St. Paul MS.,
one is ascribed to St. Moling, f697> the friend of Suibhne. Of
this poem the editors of the Thesaurus Palaeohibernicus say,
with certain reservations, that it may have actually been
composed by St. Moling himself.

The association of the two names, Suibhne and St.
Moling, in these two poems occurring together in the same
MS. is not without significance when we consider the
friendship between the two as shown in the Buile Suibhne.
Both names are found further associated in the interesting
collection of poems ascribed to St. Moling published in
Anecdota from Irish mss.1 In a note referring to the first
three poems in that collection it is suggested that it was
Suibhne who composed them, though it was Moling who put
them in the ' old book,' viz. : the Book of Murchadh, son of
Brian.2 Before passing from these poems it may be remarked
that they bear striking resemblance in many respects to the
poetry in the Buile Suibhne, the same phrases occurring in
some cases in both.

1 Vol II., p. 20.

2 Murchadh, son of Brian (Boruma), fell in the battle of Clontarf, 1014. Can
it be that Murchadh son of Bran, king of Leinster, ob. 727, is meant? He
must have been a contemporary of Moling.

THE BATTLE OF MAGH RATH xix

The evidence so far would seem to point to the fact that
the tradition of Suibhne's madness and of his poems and
of the stories about him goes back to the time of Suibhne
himself, and that Moling may have had a share in the
actual moulding of the tradition.

IV.— THE BATTLE OF MAGH RATH

The battle of Magh Rath was fought in the year
A.D. 637. That the battle was an historical event and
one of considerable significance is without doubt. It is
recorded in the Annals of Ulster, the Chronicon Scotorum,
and the Annals of Tigernach. It is only in the last-named
that mention is made of Suibhne, and there it is recorded that
he fell in the battle. Adhamnan, who was thirteen years old
when it was fought, mentions it in his Life of Colum Cille,1
and his words place beyond a doubt any question as to the
authenticity of the event. The significance in Irish history of
the battle may be inferred from the fact that it gave rise not
only to the present tale but also to two long romantic accounts
of the battle known as the Banquet of Dun na nGedh and the
Battle of Magh Rath.

Amid the bewildering tangle of events in Ireland in the
sixth and seventh centuries it is not easy to determine with
any degree of certainty what this significance was. Apart
from Adhamnan's Life of Colum Cille,2 the Irish annals,
particularly the Annals of Ulster and the Annals of Tigernach,
constitute almost the only available sources of information.
Nothing, however, could well be more laconic than the records

1 Life of St. Columba, ed. Reeves, p. 200.

2 Nobody can touch this period of Ulidian history without acknowledging his
indebtedness to Reeves's splendid edition of Adhamnan's great work. The same
scholar's work on the Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor, and Dromore
is almost equally valuable to the historian and topographer.

xx INTRODUCTION

in the annals of the period ; events are chronicled, but one
looks in vain for a clue to the political forces or motives at
work. Whether a certain battle, for instance, was prompted
by deliberate state policy or was merely the outcome of racial,
tribal, or even personal rivalry or rancour it is scarcely ever
possible to say.1

One fact, however, stands out clearly in the records of
the century immediately preceding the battle of Magh Rath :
it was the remarkable growth in power and dominion which the
Scottish portion of the kingdom of Dal Riada attained during
the sixth and seventh centuries. If, as seems probable, the
battle was in a large measure2 the outcome of this growth,
the significance in Irish history of the event will be manifest.

The Irish state of Dal Riada comprised roughly the
northern half of Antrim. At an early period in its history
— possibly in the fourth century3 — some of its people
passed over to the neighbouring shores of Scotland and
established there in the course of the next two or three
centuries the Scottish kingdom of Dal Riada, an event of
great importance in the history of Scotland. Both the
Irish and Scottish Dal Riada were under one ruler, who
appears to have been subject to the High King of Ireland,4

i The systematic study of the genealogies, carried out on the lines of
MacNeill's Early Irish Population- Groups, will help to clear up much of this.

2 No doubt, other circumstances contributed, such as the rivalry between the
Ulaidh and the Picts of Dal Araidhe.

3 There are many evidences against Tigernach who gives 502 as the date of
the migration. For one thing, it is scarcely possible that the Scottish Dal Riada
could have achieved in seventy years the position of importance it had attained
under Aedhan son of Gabhran. Furthermore, the migration must have taken
place at a time when the Irish Dal Riada was a much larger territory than it was
in 502. A line drawn from the village of Glynn, a little to the south of Larne,
to the northern slopes of Slemish, thence — keeping to the west of the mountains
— to the source of the Bush, and following that river to the sea, would probably
give the boundary between Dal Araidhe and Dal Riada.

4 The accounts of the Convention of Druim Ceata seem to point to the fact
that the questions at issue lay between the High King of Ireland and the king of
Dal Riada. The king of Ulaidh does not figure in the accounts of the
Convention.

THE BATTLE OF MAGH RATH xxi

at least as far as the Irish Dal Riada was concerned. The
Dalriadic dynasty may be said to have been firmly established
in Scotland by Aedhan, son of Gabhran, who is reckoned
as its seventh king. Aedhan was solemnly inaugurated by
Colum Cille, Abbot of Iona, in 575. Immediately after
his accession to the throne he appears to have set himself
to the task of making the Scottish portion of his kingdom,
if not indeed the whole of it, independent. There can be
no doubt that it was largely to settle the dispute between
Aedhan and the Irish monarch respecting the tributes of
Dal Riada that the Convention of Druim Ceata was held
in 575. Colum Cille, who was present1 at the Convention,
pleaded the cause of Dal Riada. The result of the
Convention is not very clear, but it would seem that
Aedhan succeeded in obtaining some measure of indepen-
dence. ' Their expeditions and their hosting with the men
of Ireland — for hosting is always with the founders — and
their tribute with the men of Scotland' ; such is one version
of the judgment given.2 His action in this respect was in
keeping with the activity displayed by him in other
directions. The annals record that he made an expedition

1 It is unlikely that Aedhan was present, although Keating in his account of
the Convention states that it is recorded in the Book of Glendalough that he was
present.

2 Lis?nore Lives, ed. Stokes, page 314. I am indebted to Professor
John Mac Xeill for the following note on the import of this judgment : — • This
law cannot refer to Fir Alban (which name was appropriated to the Dal Riada
of Scotland). Their hostings were not with Ireland, and such a judgment in
their case would have been, not a compromise, but an open mockery of the Irish
king. But the import of the law becomes clear and reasonable if we understand
it to apply to the Irish Dal Riada. In their case, to have to attend the Scottish
king in war would have been a grievous burden to themselves, and a breach of
the Irish monarchical theory. Therefore, so far as they were obliged to aid a
suzerain in war, their aid was due to the Irish king only. But since the Scottish
dynasty was their dynasty too, their tributes, i.e. the rents paid to their kings
and nobility by the vassal population of Irish Dal Riada continued to be paid,
or at all events payable, to the king and his nobles, though these were resident in
Scotland. When Irish writers lost touch with the early conditions of eastern
Ulster, they must have failed to understand the treaty of Druim Ceata.'

xxii INTRODUCTION

to the Orkneys in 581, that he was victor in the battle
of Mano in the following year, and in the battle of
Lethreid in 590, and that he was defeated a year or two later
in a battle against the Saxons.1 At his death in 606 he was
succeeded by his son Eochaidh Buidhe, whom the annals, in
recording his death in 629, style king of the Picts. His son
Conadh Cerr followed in the kingship of Dal Riada. Conadh
was slain at the battle of Fidheoin in 629, and was succeeded
by his brother Domhnall Brecc, who reigned until 642. and
was thus king of Dal Riada at the date of the battle of Magh
Rath, in which, as we shall see later, he took a prominent
part.

So far as Dal Riada is concerned, the records of the sixth
century go to show that, side by side with the growth of the
Scottish state, the parent kingdom was steadily waning in
power and importance, until it eventually ceased to be more
than a name. It is certain that at an early date — possibly
by the close of the sixth century — the native dynasty became
merged in that of Argyle ; and, with the transfer of the
dynasty, the nobles of the Irish Dal Riada passed over to
Scotland.2 No doubt, the new country across the narrow

1 In the story of the birth of Brandubh (Zeit. C.P. II, 134) it is stated that
Aedhan went on a hosting to Ireland to contest the kingship of Ireland, taking
•with him men of Scotland, Britons, and Saxons. The Irish annals have no record
of such expedition. It is recorded also (see Reeves, Adhamnan, p. 373) that
Aedhan submitted to Baedan, king of Ulaidh, at Rossnaree in Seimhne.

Giallastar do Baetan ban
arddri na hAlban Aedan
ic Ross na rig, rad nglan iigle,
in airthiur tuaisciurt Semne.

Rawl. B 502, Fo. 156b.

2 The genealogies under the heading of Dal Riada (' race of Conaire Mor
contain no pedigrees, no kindreds or septs, but those of Fir Alban (i.e. the Dal
Riada of Scotland). This indicates that by the time when the corpus
genealogical began to be assembled, the nobles of the Irish Dal Riada were no
longer known to exist, or at all events had fallen into obscurity. This must
have been the case when the Laud 610 tract was compiled, i.e. about 1050, for

THE BATTLE OF MAGH RATH xxiii

strip of sea offered a wider field for enterprise and adventure
than they could find at home. Moreover, the Irish Dal Riada
must have constantly suffered from the pressure of its
neighbours, the warlike Picts of Dal Araidhe on the west
and the equally warlike Ulaidh to the south. Ever since the
fall of Emain in the fourth century — when the power of
Ulaidh was well-nigh crippled — the Picts of Dal Araidhe had
been rising into prominence. They who had once been
subjects of the Ulaidh were now their rivals, and the history
of the two states from the fifth to the eighth century is one
long struggle for supremacy. Within so circumscribed an
area it was inevitable that Dal Riada should be brought into
the conflict. During the decade immediately preceding the
battle of Magh Rath there is evidence of the struggle between
them. The battle of Lethet Midind was fought in 626
between Ulaidh and Dal Araidhe. A year later Ulaidh
was defeated by Dal Riada in the battle of Ard Corainn.
Dal Riada, on the other hand, suffered severely at the hands
of Cruithui in the battle of Fidheoin,1 fought in 629.

that tract gives special prominence to the genealogies of East Ulster; it was
compiled in or near Armagh, and is the source of the material for that region in
LL., BB., and Rawl. B. 502. But it ignores the Irish Dal Riada. Again, the
Laud tract draws on eighth- century sources, and would have copied any Dal
Riada pedigrees found in them. Hence we may infer that even in the eighth
century, the nobles of Dal Riada had probably ceased to be of account in
Ireland. Their disappearance is easily explained once we grasp the fact that the
Irish Dal Riada maintained to the full their political and social unity with the
' Fir Alban,' living even under the same government. In Ireland their territory
was narrow and unfertile, and they were hemmed in by the warlike Picts and
Ulaidh. In Scotland their kings kept gaining ground steadily until the final
conquest of the Picts, Britons, and Angles by Cinaeth Mac Ailpin in the ninth
century. The topography of the Scottish Lowlands proves that that region,
including even the Anglian territory of Bernicia (the Lothians), was exten-
sively colonized by the Irish (Scots) after they conquered it. We can imagine
that the people of the Antrim Glens were glad to leave those cramped and
wooded fastnesses to become possessors of wide domains in various parts of
Scotland, and that they carried off with them the genealogical traditions which
find no place in the very copious Irish record. [Note by Prof. John MacNeill.]

1 The battle of Fidheoin seems to have been a most important event.
Unfortunately the place has not been identified ; it cannot even be said that it is

xxiv INTRODUCTION

Let us now turn to Congal Claen and the events leading
up to the battle of Magh Rath. Congal was a prince of the
great Ulidian race of Rudraige Mor. From an early age he
had been fostered by Domhnall, who succeeded his father
Aedh, son of Ainmire, as High King of Ireland in 598. The
romantic accounts of the battle of Magh Rath dwell at
considerable length on the causes which led to a quarrel
between Congal and his foster-father, but these may for the
most part be dismissed as bardic fictions. There is one
passage, however, in the Banquet of Dun na nGedh1 which is
worth quoting here, as it may well represent the traditional
view of the relations of Congal and Domhnall. Congal in a
moment of anger, through being, as he thinks, slighted at the
famous banquet, says to the king :

' I will now state, before all, the injuries thou hast done to
me. The king who preceded thee over Erin was Suibhne
Menn . . . thou wert not obedient to that king, and thou
didst go to make a treaty with the Ultonians, and I was given
in fosterage to thee by my father and my own tribe ; a
woman of my own tribe was sent with me to nurse me with
thee, but when she reached thy house thou didst send the
Ultonian woman back to her own country, and thou didst
place a woman of thine own tribe to nurse me in the garden
of the fort in which thou dwellest. It happened on a certain
day that I was left in the garden without anyone to take care
of me, and the little bees of the garden rose up with the heat
of the sun, and one of them put its venom in one of my eyes,.
so that my eye became awry, from which I have been named
Congal Claen. I was nursed by thee until thou wast expelled

in Ireland. Moreover, it is doubtful that Maelcaich (or Maelcaith) was king of
the Cruithni, as he is described, at the time. Tigernach gives the fullest record
of the battle. There fell in the battle Conadh Cerr, king of Dal Riada, Dicull
mac Eachach, who is described as king of the kindred of the Picts, two grandsons
of Aedhan as well as Oisiric mac Albruit, crown prince of England (rigdomna
Saxan).

1 ed. O'Donovan, p. 33.

THE BATTLE OF MAGH RATH xxv

by the king of Erin, Suibhne Menn . . . and then thou

didst repair to the king of Alba, taking me along with thee in

that exile ; and thou didst receive great honour from him,

and you formed a treaty, thou and the king of Alba, and he

protested to thee that he would not oppose thee as long as

the sea should surround Erin. Thou didst afterwards return

to Erin, and I returned along with thee, for I was in exile

along with thee. We put into port at Traigh Rudhraighe,

and here we held a short consultation. And what thou didst

say was, that whoever thou shouldst get to betray the king of

Erin, thou wouldst be bound to restore his territory to him

whenever thou shouldst become king of Erin. I went on the

enterprise, O king, for a promise that my patrimony should be

wholly restored to me, whenever thou shouldst become

monarch of Erin ; and I delayed not until I reached Aileach

Neid, where the king held his residence at the time. The

king came out upon the green surrounded by a great

concourse of the men of Erin, and he was playing chess

amidst the hosts, and I came into the assembly, passing

without the permission of anyone through the crowds and

made a thrust of my spear, Gearr Congail, which I held in my

hand, at the breast of the king, and the stone which was at

his back responded to the thrust, his heart's blood was on the

head of the javelin, so that he fell dead. But as the king was

tasting of death he flung a chess-man which was in his hand

at me, so that he broke the crooked eye in my head. I was

squint-eyed before, I have been blind-eyed since. The host

and people of the king fled, thinking that thou and the men

of Alba were with me, as I had killed Suibhne Menn, the

king. I then returned to thee, and thou didst, after this,

assume the sovereignty of Erin. My father, Scannall of the

Broad Shield, died soon after, and I came to thee to be made

king as thou hadst promised me. Thou didst not perform

thy promise except to a small extent, for thou didst deprive

me of Cenel Conaill and Cenel Eoghain and also of the nine

c

xxvi INTRODUCTION

cantreds of Oirghiall, the land of Maelodhar Macha, who now
sits at my shoulder, and whom thou hast seated in the place
of a king, in preference to me, this night, in thine own house,
O king, said he. And a goose egg was placed before him on
a silver dish, while a hen egg was placed on a wooden dish
before me. And I will give battle to thee and the men of
Erin in consequence, as thou hast them assembled around
thee to-night, said Congal. And he went out of the house
and the Ultonians followed him.'

What are the facts as recorded in the annals ? Suibhne
Menn, son of Fiachna, became High King in 615 in
succession to Maelchoba, son of Aedh, whom he dethroned.
He defeated Domhnall, son of Aedh, at Both in 628, but was
slain the same year by Congal Claen on the shores of Lough
Swilly near Aileach. He was succeeded by Domhnall,
brother of Maelchoba and son of Aedh. As to the kingship
of Ulaidh, the annals record that Fiachna, son of Demman,
was killed in the battle of Ard Corainn in 627. Congal
appears as next king of Ulaidh1 ; he also figures as king of
Dal Araidhe.

The battle of Dun Cethirn, which was fought in 629
between Congal Claen and the High King, Domhnall, son of
Aedh, marks the next stage. The annals merely record that
Domhnall was victor and that Congal fled, but Adhamnan in
his Life of Colum Cille2 records the fulfilment of one of the
saint's prophecies to the effect that Ui Neill and Cruithni
would wage war fighting in the vicinity of the fortress of
Cethern.

Dun Cethirn lies some five miles to the west of the Bann
in territory which had long been a source of strife,3 but which

1 See LL. fo. 41 ; also the ' Comaimserad righ nErenn,' Book of Lecan,
fo. 23a 1.

2 ed. Reeves, p. 93.

3 One of the geasa or ' prohibitions ' of the king of Eogain was * to make
peace with Dal Araidhe ever ' ; Book of Rights, p. 267.

THE BATTLE OF MAGH RATH xxvii

had been ceded by the Cruithni to the Cenel Eogain as a
result of the battle of Moin Daire Lothair in 563. This
was Congal's first move against the High King. After his
defeat he fled to Scotland. The annals are silent about
him until the battle of Magh Rath; but if the account
given in the Banquet of Dun na nGedh can be accepted,
he spent the interval in collecting an army among the
Scots of Dal Riada, the Picts and Strathclyde Britons,
with a view to avenging his defeat at Dun Cethirn and
establishing himself again in Ireland. Domhnall Brecc
was king of Dal Riada at the time ; he was Congal's
uncle, and, judging by subsequent events, appears to have
lent a willing ear to the designs of Congal. There is
some slight evidence that both Domhnall and his father
Eochaidh Buidhe had acquired influence, if not actual
dominion, over a section of their Pictish neighbours. In the
annals of Ulster at the year 629, Eochaidh is called king of
the Picts, and an earlier entry in the same year records the
death of Conadh Cerr, king of Dal Riada, in the battle of
Fidheoin. Tigernach records that Conadh Cerr, king of Dal
Riada, defeated Fiachna,son of Demman,kingof Ulaidh,in the
battle of Ard Corainn (A.U. 627). These entries go to show
that Conadh was regarded as king of Dal Riada during the
lifetime of Eochaidh Buidhe. The explanation may be, as
Skene points out,1 that Eochaidh had acquired some measure
of authority over the Picts of Galloway, and had placed his
son Conadh Cerr on the throne of Dal Riada. Domhnall
Brecc succeeded his brother on the throne of Dal Riada in
629. He is nowhere styled king of the Picts ; it is probable

1 Celtic Scotland, Vol. I., p. 241. Skene's transcription of Tigernach's
record of the battle of Fidheoin is erroneous in one important point. He has
" Eochaidh Buidhe mac Aidan victor erat," whereas it should be : " mors E.B.
maic Aidan," an event which appears to have no connection with the battle of
Fidheoin. This disposes of Skene's ingenious theory about Eochaidh fighting
on the side of the Picts of Dal Araidhe while his son Conadh was fighting
on the side of Dal Riada.

C 2

xxviii INTRODUCTION

that the Pictish law of succession in the female line was
followed. Nevertheless Dornhnall's activities were by no
means confined to his own dominions of Argyle. The period
was one of considerable ferment in north Britain amongst
the Picts, Scots, and Britons; and Domhnall, no doubt,
took advantage of this ferment to extend his oversea
dominions, to the neglect of his Irish territory. We find
him fighting at Calathros in 634 — in the land of the Picts
or Britons it is surmised — where he suffered defeat. His
incursions into Pictish or British territory subsequent to
Magh Rath were not more successful.

We come now to the battle of Magh Rath. The Irish
annals have very little to say about it. The Annals of Ulster
barely mentions it. Tigernach says that it was fought by
Domhnall, son of Aedh, and by the sons of Aedh Slane; that
Congal Caech (Cael), king of Ulaidh and Faelan, as well as
many other nobles, and Suibhne, son of Colman Cuar, fell in
it. No mention is made of Domhnall Brecc, king of Dal
Riada. Let us see, however, what Adhamnan has to say
about it. Adhamnan was thirteen years old when the battle
was fought, and must have had memories of it when he wrote
some fifty years later. Speaking of the prophecy of Colum
Cille uttered on the occasion of the inauguration of Aedhan
as king of Dal Riada, he says: — "Now this prophecy has been
fulfilled in our times in the battle of Roth, when Domhnall
Brecc, grandson of Aedhan, devastated without cause the
province of Domhnall, grandson of Ainmire. And from that
day to this they (i.e. the descendants of Aedhan) are in
decadence1 through pressure from without, a thing which
convulses one's breast, and moves one to painful sighs."2 In
face of so positive a statement, coming from such a source, the
silence of the Irish annals is strange. Adhamnan must here

1 This, no doubt, refers to their power in Ireland, as there is no evidence
that they were in decay in Scotland in the time of Adhamnan.

2 The Life of St. Columba, ed. Reeves, p. 200.

THE BATTLE OF MAGH RATH xxix

be taken as the soundest authority, and he makes it sufficiently
clear that Domhnall Brecc took a prominent part in the battle.

According to the traditional accounts of the battle, the
invading army was composed of the Scots of Dal Riada
assisted by the Picts and Britons. It is not necessary here
to inquire what forces the High King had behind him.
The romantic accounts tell us that the whole of Ireland
rallied to him.1 Whatever the facts, it is evident that the
battle was a desperate one. It is said to have lasted several
days, victory ultimately falling to the High King, Domhnall,
son of Aedh. Congal fell fighting, and Domhnall Brecc
escaped to Scotland with a remnant of his army.

Magh Rath (Moira) is situated on the Lagan, some five
miles to the east of the south-eastern angle of Lough Neagh.
It was within the territory of Dal Araidhe, the Bann which
separated it from Airghialla (Oriel) being only some ten miles
to the west. In one of the romantic accounts of the battle it
is stated that the Scots arrived a fortnight before the battle,
and that they were quartered out every night for a week.
The Ulaidh, however, thought this nightly quartering
•oppressive, so the army set out to Magh Glass, to Domhnall's
mother, and they left " not a cow or an ox, or a woman or a
boy in the place."2 The precise situation of Magh Glass has
not been ascertained, but it seems clear from the reference to
to it in the Circuit of Ireland* that it was somewhere in the
vicinity of Raphoe, that is, in Tir Conaill. Adhamnan says
that Domhnall Brecc devastated the province of the High
King, Domhnall, son of Aedh ; and as Tir Conaill was the
High King's domestic state, the remarks of Adhamnan are
probably literally correct. It may be that Domhnall Brecc
invaded Airghialla and penetrated as far as Tir Conaill, and
that when Domhnall, son of Aedh, took the field, the Scots

1 But see note below on the battle of Saltire.

2 Eriu v, p. 237.

3 ed. Hogan, p. 32.

xxx INTRODUCTION

retreated across the Bann and were overtaken and defeated
at Magh Rath.1

The victory of the High King saved perhaps Ireland
or at least the great dynasty of the Ui Neill, which had
controlled the destinies of a large portion of Ireland for
many centuries. Whatever may have been the immediate
intentions of the invaders, it is sufficiently clear that a most
determined effort was made by them to obtain a footing in
the government of Ireland. Herein I venture to think lies
the significance which native writers attached to the battle of
Magh Rath.

As a consequence of the battle, the Argyle dynasty
appear to have relaxed their interest in the Irish Dal Riada.
A century and a half later (792) kings of the territory cease
to be mentioned in the Annals of Ulster. Certainly after the
eighth century Dal Riada in Ireland was hardly more than a
geographical term in the annals.2

V.— SUIBHNE GEILT.

When we consider the prominent part assigned to Suibhne
in the present tale, it is singular that so little is known of him.
It is true that his connection with the battle of Magh Rath is
mentioned in that early Irish law tract the Book of Aicill. He
is also named in the Annals of Tigernach,3 where it is stated

1 It is worthy of note that the battle of Saltire was won by Conall Coel,
"socius Domnaill," over the Cenel Eoghain on the same day as the battle of
Magh Rath. It is significant that at the moment when Domhnall mac Aedha
was engaged in crushing the Scots and their allies in the east, his "socius"
and nephew was also overcoming the resistance of the Cenel Eoghain. It is
possible that the latter were acting in consort with the eastern confederates.

2 See Mac Neill's Early Irish Population-Groups, §114; the general descrip-
tion therein given of the ruling races of northern Ireland makes no mention of
Dal Riada.

3 The reference to him in the Martyrology of Donegal is evidently taken from
the Buile Suibhne.

SUIBHNE GEILT xxxi

that he fell in the battle. He is mentioned in the Acallamh
na Senórach1 in connection with St. Moling and Ros Brocc.
He peers now and again, a dim, mysterious figure, out
of the pages of one2 of the romantic accounts of the
battle, and at least two Irish poems, both of considerable
antiquity, are attributed to him.3 He is described in the
present tale and in the Battle of Magh Rath (ed.
O'Donovan) as king of Dal Araidhe, but his name does not
appear, so far as I am aware, in any of the lists i of kings of
that territory. In fact, if we are to trust the list given in the
Book of Leinster, Congal Claen was king both of Dal Araidhe
and Ulaidh at the time of the battle. Congal fled from
Ireland after the battle of Dun Cethirn in 629, and appears
to have remained in exile until he returned to Ireland to
fight at Magh Rath in 637. After the defeat of Congal at
Dun Cethirn, Domhnall, the High King, may have taken
under his immediate control the affairs of Ulaidh. The
kingdom of Dal Araidhe, however, was peopled by Cruithni
or Irish Picts, and it is not improbable that these people may
have chosen Suibhne to act as regent during the absence of
Congal. Suibhne is called king, but the word is used loosely
in the annals ; the designation of lord may have more closely
represented the position.

In one of the Moling poems, to which reference has
already been made, there occurs a stanza5 in which Suibhne
is called ' the Albanach ' :

1 ed. Stokes, Irische Texte IV (1), p. 75. Stokes shows (Notes, p. 273) that
the Acallamh cannot have been compiled earlier than the latter half of the
twelfth century.

2 He is not mentioned in the shorter account edited by Prof. Carl Marstrander
and published in Eriu v, p. 226.

3 One is the Old-Irish poem beginning M' airiuclán hi Tuaim Inbir, see above,
p. xvii; the other is given in Eriu 11, p. 95.

4 e.g., B. of Leinster, B. of Ballymote, B. of Lecan, Rawlinson B 502,
MacFirbis, &c. Any close investigation shows that these lists require to be
handled with caution.

5 Anecdota ii, p. 22, \ 17.

xxxii INTRODUCTION

1 Suibhne, is é an fer fartalach,
aife tri immain cen luge,
is inmain an t-Albanach,
na tabair taobh re duine.'

In the present tale he is described as son of Colman
Cuar, and in the Battle of Magh Rath as son of Colman
Cuar, son of Cobhthach. But the names of father and
grandfather — if they may be accepted at all — carry us no
further. The Annals of Ulster states that Colman, son of
Cobhthach, was slain in the battle of Cenbuigh in 622. The
Annals of the Four Masters, recording the same event under
the year 617, mentions in addition that Cobhthach was father
of Guaire Aidhne. It is possible that there is some confusion
due to the fact that the names Suibhne and Colman are very
common in the sixth and seventh centuries. It is a well-known
fact that this confusion arising from a general use of certain
names is one of the most persistent sources of error in early
Irish history.1 In the case of Suibhne and his father Colman
Cuar, for example, the two names are associated in the case
of Suibhne who was slain in 600, and whose father was Colman
Mor. It is probably due to the same cause that he is referred
to in our tale as son of Colman Cas and descendant of
Eochaidh Salbuidhe.

VI.— ORIGIN.

On the interesting question of the origin of the
Buile Suibhne I do not feel entitled to speak with any
authority. I shall therefore confine myself to setting down
a number of points which have occurred to me in this
connection in the course of my work. At the outset it seems

1 See Plummer's Vitae Sanctorum Hiberniae I, p. xc, and Kuno Meyer's
Betha Colmáin Mate Lúacháin, p. xiii.

ORIGIN xxxiii

clear that the origin of the Buile Suibhne cannot be settled
without taking into account the other extant tales which
treat of the battle of Magh Rath, more especially as Suibhne's
madness occupies a prominent place in one of the tales.
Two more or less distinct versions of the tale known as
the Battle of MagJi Rath are extant; one a long and highly-
coloured version,1 the other a brief and comparatively sober
account. Professor Carl Marstrander, in his edition of the
latter,2 shows that the sources of both versions were partly
or wholly different, that the shorter version appears to be an
abridgment of several older and varying sources, and that the
longer version has obviously been drawn from different
sources. The shorter version stands alone ; it bears no
special relation either to the longer version or to the
Buile Suibhne. On the other hand, the longer version has
some points in common with the Buile Suibhne to which it
is necessary to draw attention. The two single stanzas, one
at p. 234, beginning :

Ba he guth each aenduine,

and the other at 236 beginning :

Rop e sin mo ced-rithsa,

are introduced by the words 'as Suibhne said in another
place.' The other place is evidently the Buile Suibhne as
both stanzas occur in it.3 From this it would appear that the
Buile Suibhne, in one shape or another, was in existence
before the long version of the Battle of Magh Rath was
composed. On the other hand, five stanzas out of the whole
poem at § 16 of the Buile Suibhne*' occur in the long poem,

1 Banquet of Dun na nGedh and Battle of Magh Rath, ed. O'Donovan.

2 Ériu, Vol. v., p. 226.

3 See Notes, pp. 168 and 169.

4 The poem in the Buile Suibhne in which the stanzas occur seems somewhat
out of place ; it is possibly a later interpolation.

xxxiv INTRODUCTION

which extends from p. 126 to p. 141 of O'Donovan's edition.
Again, the description of Suibhne's madness, with all its
wealth of detail, corresponds so closely in both texts1 that it
is scarcely possible for one to have been written independently
of the other.

Apart from the foregoing, there are other evidences that
the tale in its present form is a composite one. It is possible
to trace the interweaving of two versions differing in many
details. At the outset of the tale we are presented with two
different accounts of the manner in which Suibhne offended
St. Ronan, one by drowning his psaltair, the other by slaying
one of his followers. We find also two ' lucid intervals' in the
tale of Suibhne's madness of which the second seems to know
nothing of the first. In a general way, too, it may be said
that the distinctly Christian passages could be omitted
without any serious distortion of the tale. In this connection
and in view of the reference in the Book of Aicill to Suibhne's
madness, I venture to suggest that the original story attributed
the madness to the horrors which he witnessed in the battle of
Magh Rath, and that the introduction of St. Ronan and
St. Moling may be a later interpolation. At the same time,
it must be borne in mind that ' levitation ' plays a considerable
part in the development of the tale, and levitation — or, at
least, extraordinary bodily agility — was not an uncommon
phenomenon of religious mysticism in the Middle Ages. It is
only necessary to cite the case of St. Joseph of Cupertino,
whose feats of flying are recorded in the Proces of the saint.
I know of no instance of similar levitation in Irish literature,2

1 Cf. pp. 231-237 of Battle of Magh Rath (ed. O'Donovan) with § 11 of the
Biiile Suibhne.

2 Prof. Kuno Meyer has drawn my attention to the following passage from
the Irish mirabilia in the ' Speculum Regale,' an old Norse book written about
1250 A.D., Ériu, iv, p. 11, § 18 : — < There is also one thing which will seem very
wonderful about men who are called gelt. It happens that when two hosts meet
and are arrayed in battle-array, and when the battle-cry is raised loudly on
both sides, that cowardly men run wild and lose their wits from the dread and

ORIGIN xxxv

and of course the bodily agility of Suibhne is to be
distinguished from such phenomena as the flight of the soul
described in a number of Irish ' Visions,' as, for example, the
Vision of Fursa. In the Buile Suibhne the levitation element
is curious. It takes the form of Suibhne imagining himself as
flying about from place to place, imagining, too, that feathers
have grown on him. It may be observed that until quite
recent times it was the general belief in Ireland that madmen
were as light as feathers and could climb steeps and
precipices.1

The account of Suibhne's madness seems to bear some
resemblance to the widely dispersed story of the Wild Man
of the Woods,2 of which the Merlin legend is perhaps the
most conspicuous offshoot. The story on the whole seems
to be made up of a small folk element, probably deriving
from the same source as the Merlin legends, and a historical
element, with the battle of Magh Rath for a background.
Beyond the curious notion of levitation, the tale may be said
to be devoid of conventional folk elements or episodes.
The theme is treated throughout in so unconventional and
natural a way, that it may well owe nothing more to legend
than the central idea.

fear which seize them. And then they run into a wood away from other men,
and live there like wild beasts, and shun the meeting of men like wild beasts.
And it is said of these men that when they have lived in the woods in that
condition for twenty years, then feathers grow on their bodies as on birds,
whereby their bodies are protected against frost and cold, but the feathers are
not so large that they may fly like birds. Yet their swiftness is said to be so
great that other men cannot approach them, and greyhounds just as little as men.
For these people run along the trees almost as swiftly as monkeys or squirrels.'
(From this it would seem probable that the Norsemen had heard of the story of
Suibhne.)

i See note on page 234, Battle of Magh Rath, ed. O' Donovan: cf. in tins-
connection the gloss — gealta — to the word volatiles in the Chronicon Scotorum,
p. 122.

2 See e.g., The Story of GrisanJole, a Study in the Legend of Merlin, by
Lucy Allen Paton, in the publications of the Modern Language Association of
America, xxii. 2 (1907).

xxxvi INTRODUCTION

VII.— THE COMPOSITION.

The present tale, like many early Irish compositions,
•consists of alternate prose and verse, the latter constituting
by far the greater part of the work. The events making up
the somewhat slender framework of the tale are, as a rule,
recorded in both the prose and verse, but the latter is devoted
in the main to recounting the changing moods and manifold
sorrows of the madman.

As a work of art it must be admitted that the Buile
Suibhne is marred by a certain lack of unity. In the matter
of the general framework, the story as a whole is intelligible
■enough, and proceeds smoothly and naturally from stage to
stage, but occasionally in the verse one is brought face to
face with sudden and violent changes of subject. The long
poem (§ 40) which opens with a description of the trees of
Ireland furnishes a good instance of this lack of artistic
coherence. It is possible that this may be due to an in-
complete text, or it may be the author's way of representing
the incoherent mind of the madman.2 In the verse portions,
too, one feels that matter has to some extent been sub-
ordinated to form. It is some compensation that the verse
forms throughout are excellent. In many of the poems
difficult metres are handled with remarkable skill.3 On
the other hand, the whole is not lacking in imaginative

1 The Book of Rights is a good example. For references to other
•examples, see Rev. Celt., vol. xii., p. 319.

2 On the other hand, this lack of coherence and restraint is a characteristic
■of many medieval compositions ; see, for example, the remarks at p. xv of the
Introduction to the Vision of MacConolinne.

3 I have indicated in the Notes the metres of the poems. For descriptions
of the various metres, readers are referred to Professor Kuno Meyer's Primer
■of Irish Metrics.

THE COMPOSITION xxxvii

power, and there is genuine pathos displayed in recounting
the madman's sufferings.

Perhaps the outstanding feature of the composition is the
extraordinary love of place which it reveals. I venture to
say that this is one of the most distinctive features of
early Irish literature. It is only necessary to recall in this
connection the vast number of compositions which have for
subject the origin of place-names.1 Nor was this love of
place a mere convention ; I believe it sprang from a very
intimate knowledge of the actual place or of the spirit of the
place ; and I suggest that it will be found on investigation
that the descriptions of places given in early Irish literature
are in the main accurate.

In one respect the Buile Suibhne possesses special interest.
Unlike the large mass of early Irish literary remains, it seems
to owe but little to traditional lore. Whatever folk-beliefs
and superstitions it may enshrine, the tale in its broad
outline seems to be largely independent of floating myth, and
the theme is treated in a way that is free from the literary
conventions of the time. In a word, the Buile SuibJine, like
the Vision of MacConglinne — to cite a well-known example
— is a sustained literary tour de force, and, as such, furnishes
an interesting example of the medieval attitude of mind
towards literary creation.

In conclusion, I desire to express my gratitude to those
who have assisted me in various ways in the preparation of
this book. I am in a very special way indebted to Professor
Kuno Meyer for constant encouragement and assistance, and
I offer him my most sincere thanks. To Professor Osborn
Bergin and the Rev. Charles Plummer, I am also deeply

i The numerous ' Dinnsenchus ' poems and prose tales form the most
important portion of these compositions, but, in addition, the ' Dinnsenchus '
motive plays an important part in early Irish literature in general.

xxxviii INTRODUCTION

indebted for considerable help. I have to thank Professor
John MacNeill for his kindness in placing at my disposal a
mass of valuable historical notes, bearing specially on the
battle of Magh Rath. Lastly, I desire to thank Miss
Eleanor Knott for her assistance in collating a portion of
the text with the manuscripts.

J. G. O'KEEFFE

Dublin, December 191 2.

BUILE SUIBHNE

[ 2 ]

BUILE SUIBHNE ANNSO SÍOS

1 DÁLA SHUIBHNE mhic Colmáin Chúair, rígh Dál Araidhe,
roaisneidhsem remhainn do dhul ar fainneal 7 ar íolúamazn
a cath. Ba hedh ann fochann 7 tucaitt tr^sa ttangattar
na hairrdhena 7 na habarta fúalaing 7 foluaimhm"^e sin
fabi-siumh tar chách a ccoitchinne 7 febh tecómhnaccair
dhó iaromh.

2 Babi aroile naoimh-erlumh uasal oxrámdhe. hi tir
nErenn .i. Ronán Fionn, mac Beraigh, mic Criodáin,1 mic
Earclogha, mic Érnainne, mic Urene, mic Seachnusaigh, mic
Coluim Chúile, mic Muiredhaigh, mic Laogaire, mic Néill,
.i. fer comhailte tiomna Dé 7 congm#/a cuinge crabuid/i
7 fuilngthe ingreama ar sgáth an Choimd^A an fer sin. Ba
mogh-sén diles2 diongnWa do Dhia, ar no bhiodh ag crochadh
a chuirp ar grádh Dé 7 do tuiWedh fochraicciu dia anmain.
Ba sgiath dhidin fri drochaimsibh diabhail 7 doailc[h]ibh
an fer min muinterrdha mormhonarach sin.

3 Robaoi-sidhe fecht ann ag torainn chille i nDál
Araidhe .i. Ceall Luinni1 a comhainm. As é robadh righ ar
Dhál Araidhe an ionbaidh sin .i. an Suibhne, mac Colmáin,
adru[b]rumar. Rocuala 'diu2 Suibhne airm a raibhi gut[h]
chluig Rónáin ag tórainn na cille, go rofhíarfaí:/// dia muint/r
cidh adchualadar.3 ' Rónán Fionn mac Bearaigh,' ar siad,
1 ata ag tórainn chille it chrich-si 7 it fheronn 7 as é guth
a chluig itchluini-si anosa.' Rolonnaigé^ 7 rofergaige^

2 — 1 Criothainn, altered later to Criomthainn K Criomthainn L 2 sen

diles BK ; naoimhdiles L

3 — í Lainni L 2 dia K 3 sic L: adchuala B ; atchuak^ K

[ 3 ]

THE FKENZY OF SUIBHNE HERE

1 As to Suibhne, son of Colman Cuar, king of Dal Araidhe,
we have already told1 how he went wandering and flying out
of battle. Here are set forth the cause and occasion whereby
these symptoms and fits of frenzy and flightiness came upon
him beyond all others, likewise what befell him thereafter.

2 There was a certain noble, distinguished holy patron
in Ireland, even Ronan Finn, son of Bearach, son of
Criodhan, son of Earclugh, son of Ernainne, son of Urene,
son of Seachnusach, son of Colum Cuile, son of Mureadhach,
son of Laoghaire, son of Niall ; a man who fulfilled
God's command and bore the yoke of piety, and endured
persecutions for the Lord's sake. He was God's own worthy
servant, for it was his wont to crucify his body for love of
God and to win a reward for his soul. A sheltering shield
against evil attacks of the devil and against vices was that
gentle, friendly, active man.

3 On one occasion he was marking out a church named
Cell Luinne in Dal Araidhe. (At that time Suibhne, son of
Colman, of whom we have spoken, was king of Dal Araidhe.)
Now, in the place where he was, Suibhne heard the sound of
Ronan's bell as he was marking out the church, and he
asked his people what it was they heard. ' It is Ronan Finn,
son of Bearach/ said they, ' who is marking out a church in
your territory and land, and it is the sound of his bell you

1— i In mss. B and K this tale follows that entitled the Battle of Magh Rath,
in which reference is made to the frenzy of Suibhne. See the Battle of Magh
Rath, ed. O'Donovan, p. 231.

B2

4 BUILE SUIBHNE

go mor anti Suibhne 7 roeirigh go dian deinmneadhach do
dhiochar an chleirigh on chill. Tarrai'd/z a bhainc[h]eile .i.
Eorann ingen Chuinn Chiannachta eiti3 an bhrait chortharaigh
chorcra robhúi ime dia (hosdud/i, go rosging fbn teach an
sioball4 airgid aeinghil co míneagur5 óir robhabi san brat
os a bruinne. Lasodhain íágbatd/i a bhrat ag an riogain
7 dothaod roimhi lomnocht ina reim roiretha do dhiochar
an chleirigh on chill co riacht áit ina raibhe Ronán.

4 As amhlaidh robhúi an cléirech ar cionn Suibhne
an ionbaidh sin, ag moladh righ nimhe [7] talman .i. ag
solz/^ghabail a psalm 7 a1 psaltair líneach lánáluinn ina
fhiadhnuisi. Dosfuairgaibh2 Suibhne an psaltair go rotheilg
a bfudhomhuin an locha lionnfuair robhaoi 'na fharradh go
róbéÁdedh ann i. Rogabh Suibhne lamh Ronáin iarsin co
rotharraing ina dhiaigh é tar an ccill amach 7 nior leicc
láimh an chlerigh úaidh fós no go ccuala3 an eighemh. As
e dorinne an eighemh sin .i. giolla Congáil Chlaoin mic
Sgannláin, arna thecht ar cenn Suibhne o Cbongal fe[i]n
do chur chatha Mhuighe Rat[h]. O rainic an giolla co hait
n-iomagallmha fri Suibhne adfó/ sgéla dhó o thus go deredh.
Téit tra Suibhne lasan ngiolla 7 fágbaidh4 an clérech go
dubhach dobronach ar mbkdzidh a psaltrach 7 iar ndénamh
a dhimigni 7 a esonora.

5 Diuidh laoi co n-oidhche iarsin doriacht dobarchu
robui isin loch dochum Ronáin 7 a psaltair leis gan
mxWedh line na litri inte. T)obert Ronán altugudh buidi do
Dia tresan mirbuile sin 7 mallachais Suibhne iaromh,
conadh edh roraidh : ' Mo ched-sa fri ced an Choimd^//
chumachdtf/if/z,' ar saé, ■ amail tainic-siomh dom dhiochur-sa
7 é lomnocht, gurab amhlaidh sin bhias [82 b] doghrés
lomnocht ar faoinnel 7 ar folúamhain sechnóin an domhain,

3 — 3 err L 4 .i. dealg add. L 5 sic B mioneccur K

4 — 1 psaltrach 7 a add. B 2 tuargaib .i. do thogaibh L 3 From

this point to the word da in line 4 § 9 is omitted from K 4 fagbais L

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHXE 5

now hear.' Suibhne was greatly angered and enraged, and
he set out with the utmost haste to drive the cleric from the
church. His wife Eorann, daughter of Conn of Ciannacht,
in order to hold him, seized the wing of the fringed, crimson
cloak which was around him, so that the fibula of pure white
silver, neatly inlaid with gold, which was on his cloak over
his breast, sprang through the house. Therewith, leaving his
cloak with the queen, he set out stark-naked in his swift
career to expel the cleric from the church, until he reached
the place where Ronan was.

4 He found the cleric at the time glorifying the King of
heaven and earth by blithely chanting his psalms with his
lined, right-beautiful psalter in front of him. Suibhne took up
the psalter and cast it into the depths of the cold-water lake
which was near him, so that it was drowned therein. Then
he seized Ronan's hand and dragged him out through the
church after him, nor did he let go the cleric's hand until he
heard a cry of alarm. It was a serving-man of Congai Claon,
son of Scannlan, who uttered that cry ; he had come from
Congai himself to Suibhne in order that he (Suibhne) might
engage in battle at Magh Rath. When the serving-man
reached the place of parley with Suibhne, he related the news
to him from beginning to end. Suibhne then went with the
serving-man and left the cleric sad and sorrowful over the
loss of his psalter and the contempt and dishonour which had
been inflicted on him.

5 Thereafter, at the end of a clay and a night, an otter
that was in the lake came to Ronan with the psalter, and
neither line nor letter of it was injured. Ronan gave thanks
to God for that miracle, and then cursed Suibhne, saying:
1 Be it my will, together with the will of the mighty Lord,
that even as he came stark-naked to expel me, may it
be thus that he will ever be, naked, wandering and flying
throughout the world ; may it be death from a spear-point

6 BUILE SUIBHNE

gurab bás do rinn nosbéra.1 Mo mallacht-sa for Suibhne
bheós 7 mo bhennacht for Eorainn rothriall a ihostud/i

7 2fós fágbhaim-si do chloinn Cholmáin an lá atchifit an
psaltair si [robaidedh] la Suibhne gurab dith 7 dilghenn
doibh ' ;- 7 a[t]bert in laid :

6 ' Suibniu mac Colmáin romc/irdidh,
romt[h]arraing leis ar leathláimh,
d' fhágbháil Chille Luinne lais
dom beith athaigk 'na hégmais.

Tainig chugum 'na rith rod
amail rochóala mo chlog,
tug leis feirg n-adhbhal n-anba
dom athchar, dom ionnarba.

Leasg lem-sa mh'athchar abhus
ón bhaile céda rabhus,
gerbo lium-sa robad/i lesg
do Dhía táinic a thoirmesg.

Nior leig mo lámh as a láimh
co ccóalaidh an eighemh n-áin,
go n-ébreadh ris : ' tair don chath,
doriacht Domhnall Magh ra/2-Rath.'

Dodheachaidh maith dhamh-sa dhe,
ni ris rugus a bhuidhe,
o doriacht fios an chatha
do soighzdk an ardflat[h]a.

Ro-ionnsaigh an cath go cian
dar chláon a chonn [i]s a chiall,
sirh'd/i Eirinn 'na1 gheilt ghlas
agus bidh do rinn raghas.

5 — 1 notbéra B ; bhéras K 2-2 an la adcifet clanna Colmain an tsaltair
robaidedh gurab dith 7 dilgenn doibh L
6 — 1 Eire an B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 7

that will carry him off. My curse once more on Suibhne,
and my blessing on Eorann who strove to hold him ;
and furthermore, I bequeath to the race of Colman that
destruction and extinction may be their lot the day they
shall behold this psalter which was cast into the water by
Suibhne'; and he uttered this lay:

6 ' Suibhne, son of Colman, has outraged me,
he has dragged me with him by the hand,
to leave Cell Luinne with him,
that I should be for a time absent from it.

He came to me in his swift course
on hearing my bell ;
he brought with him vast, awful wrath
to drive me out, to banish me.

Loth was I to be banished here
from the place where I first settled ;
though loth was I,
God has been able to prevent it.

He let not my hand out of his

until he heard the loud cry

which said1 to him : ' Come to the battle,

Domnall has reached famous Magh Rath.'

Good has come to me therefrom,
not to him did I give thanks for it
when tidings of the battle came
for him to join the high prince.

From afar he approached the battle
whereby were deranged his sense and reason,
he will roam through Erin as a stark madman,
and it shall be by a spear-point he will die.

6 — I lit. ' so that it was said.

8 BUILE SUIBHNE

Mo psaltair doghabh 'na láimh
dusfarlaic2 fon linn lain,
dorad Crist chugum gan chair
conar bhó misdi an psaltair.

Lá co n-oidhche fan loch lán
is nir mhisdi an breac-bán,
dobhrán do dheóin Mic Dé dhe
doroidhnacht damh dorisse.

An psaltair doghabh 'na láimh
fágbuim-[se] do chloinn Cholmháin,
hidh [olc] do chloinn Cholmáin chain
an lá dochifed2a an psaltair.

Lomnocht dodheachaidh sé sonn
dom thochradh is dom thafonn,
as edh doghéna3 Día dhe,
bidh lomnocht dogres Suibhne.

Rogabh ga astadh a brat
Eorann, ingen Chuinn Chiannacht,
mo bhennacht ar Eorainn de
is mo mallacht ar Suibhne.' S.

7 Dodheachaidh1 Rónán iarsin go Magh Rath do denamh
siodha eitir Dhomhnall mac Aodha 7 Congal Claon mac
Sgannláin 7 nior fhéd a siodhugz/a%. Doberthaoi \mmorro
an cléreach i ccomairci eaturra gach labi go nach marbhtha
neach and2 on3 uair rotoirmisgthi an ca.thug2idk 4go ccead-
aighthi doibh doridhisi. NomhilW/z tra Suibhne cumairce
an chleirigh,4 uair gach sidh 7 gach osad/i fogníodh Rónán
Yohnsedh Suibhne, ar nomharb^d/z fer re trath an chomhlainn
gach laoi 7 fer eile re sgur an chomh/amn gacha nóna. An

6 — 2 leg. dodasfarlaic ? 2a leg. dochife 3 dodhéna B

7 — 1 dochuaidh L 2 marbhthaoi neach ettorra L 3 sic L om. B 4-4 no

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 9

He seized my psalter in his hand,

he cast it into the full lake,

Christ brought it to me without a blemish,

so that no worse was the psalter.

A day and a night in the full lake,

nor was the speckled-white [book] the worse ;

through the will of God's Son

an otter gave it to me again.

As for the psalter that he seized in his hand,
I bequeath to the race of Colman
that it will be bad for the race of fair Colman
the day they shall behold the psalter.

Stark-naked he has come here
to wring my heart, to chase me ;
on that account God will cause
that Suibhne shall ever naked be.

Eorann, daughter of Conn of Ciannacht,
strove to hold him by his cloak ;
my blessing on Eorann therefor,
and my curse on Suibhne.'

7 Thereupon Ronan came to Magh Rath to make peace
between Domnall son of Aodh, and Congal Claon son of
Scannlan, but he did not succeed. Howbeit, the cleric used
to be taken each day as a guarantee between them that
nobody would be slain from the time the fighting was stopped
until it would be again permitted. Suibhne, however, used
to violate the cleric's guarantee of protection inasmuch as
every peace and truce which Ronan would make Suibhne
would break, for he used to slay a man before the hour
fixed for combat each day, and another each evening when

go ngabtba doridhisi. Ticcedh thrá Suibhne tar lamha an chleirigh gacha
trátha L

10 BUILE SUIBHNE

lá dono roclnnedk an cath mor do thabairt tainic Suibhne ria
gcách dochum an chatha.

8 As amhlaidh robaoi 7 leine sresbhuatdke síodae i cusdul
fri gheilchnes dó 7 fúathróig do srol righ uime 7 an t-ionar
tuc Congal do an lá romarbh Oilill Cédac/i rí Ua bFaoláin for
Magh Rath, ionar corcra comhdatha esein co cciumhi^i- dluith
deghfhighthi d'ór aluinn órloisghthi ris, co sreithegar gem
ccaomh ccarrmhogail on chionn gór araill don chiumhais
sin, go stúaghlúbaibh sioda dar cnaipid/iibh. caoimettrochta
re hiadhadk 7 re hosg\ad/i and, [83 a] go bfoirbreachtadh
airgid abingil gacha cabi 7 gacha conrt7>e imtheighed/i ;
c/^aidhrinn chaoilsnáithaide don ion^r sin. Dhá sleigh
sithfhoda slinnleathna ina lámhaibh, sgíath breacbhuidhe
bhúabhallda for a mhuin, claideamh órdhoirn for a chliu.

9 Tainic roimhe fón toichim sin co ttarla Rónán dó 7
ochtar psa[l]mchetWtf% da muintir ina fharradh 7 iad ag
crothadh uisge coisreagtha dar na sluaghuibh 7 roscroithset
ar Suibhne hi ccuma cháich. Agus andar leis-siomh bá da
fochuidm^^ roc\:o\Ú\edh an t-uisge fair, 7 dorad a mhér a
suainemh1 na sleighe seimnzV//zela robhui ina laimh 7 rosdiu-
bhraic do psalmc[h]eadlrt/^ do muintir Rónáin go romarbh
don oenorc//tfr sin é. Dorad andara hurchar don fhogha
faobrach uillenngér dochum an chlérigh budhdhén go rosben
isin chlog robhabi for a ucht, go rosging a crann as a n-airde
isin aer, co n-ébairt an cléireach : ' Guidhim-si an Coimde2
cumachtach/ ar sé, ' an ccomhairde dochuaidh crann an
fhogha isin aer 7 a nellaibh nimhe co ndeachair-si3 amail
gach n-ethaid 7 an bás roimris-[s]i4 for mo dhalta-sa, gurab
eadh notbéra5 .i, bas do rinn6, 7 mo mhallacht-sa fort 7 mo
bhennacht for Eorainn, Uradhrán7 7 Telli8 uaim i n-aghaidh
do sil9 7 chloinne Colmain Chuair/ 7 itbert :

9 — 1 sioda add. K ia sic K seim/midhe B 2 sic K om. B 3 si B ar
gealtacht add. L 4 roimbreisi K. 5 nosberai-si L 6 fodhein add. B

7 Furadhrán L 8 Teilli K 9 siola L

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 11

the combat ceased. Then on the day fixed for the great
battle Suibhne came to battle before the rest.

8 In this wise did he appear. A filmy shirt of silk was
next his white skin, around him was a girdle of royal satin,
likewise the tunic which Congal had given him the day he
slew Oilill Cedach, king of the Ui Faolain, at Magh Rath ; a
crimson tunic of one colour was it with a close, wrell-woven
border of beautiful, refined gold set with rows of fair gems of
carbuncle from one end to the other of the border, having in
it silken loops over beautiful, shining buttons for fastening
and opening it, with variegation of pure white silver each way
and each path he would go ;l there was a slender-threaded
hard fringe2 to that tunic. In his hands were two spears
very long and (shod) with broad iron, a yellow-speckled, horny
shield was on his back, a gold-hilted sword at his left side.

9 He marched on thus until he encountered Ronan with
eight psalmists of his community sprinkling holy water on
the hosts, and they sprinkled it on Suibhne as they did on
the others. Thinking it was to mock him that the water was
sprinkled on him, he placed his finger on the string of the
riveted spear that was in his hand, and hurling it at one of
Ronan's psalmists slew him with that single cast. He made
another cast with the edged, sharp-angled dart at the cleric
himself, so that it pierced the bell which was on his breast
and the shaft sprang off it up in the air, whereupon the cleric
said : ' I pray the mighty Lord that high as went the spear-
shaft into the air and among the clouds of Heaven may you
go likewise even as any bird, and may the death which you
have inflicted on my foster-child be that which will carry you
off, to wit, death from a spear-point ; and my curse on you,
and my blessing on Eorann ; (I invoke) Uradhran1 and Telle
on my behalf against your seed and the descendants of
Colman Cuar'; and he said:

8—1 i.e. it flashed as he went. 2 lit. hard-point.

9 — I Furadhrán L

12 BUILE SUIBHNE

10 ' Mo mallacht for Suibhne,
rium is mor a chionaidh,
a fhogha blaith builidh
dosaith trem c[h]log creadhail.

An clog sin roghonais
notchurfi-si ar cráobhaibh
gurbat1 aon re henaibh,
an clog náomh re náomhaibh.

Mar dochuaidh i cédóir
crann an fhogha a n-airde
co ndeachair-si, a Suibhne,
re2 gealtacht gan chairde.

Roghonais mo dhalta,
rodergais as t'fhogha,
biaidh dhuit ann do chomha
gurab do rinn ragha.

Madh dá ttis^t riom-sa
siol nEoghain go tteinne,
noscuirfet a ccran[n]acht
Uradhran is Teille.

Uradhran is Teille
roscursiod3 i ccran[n]acht,
an ced-sa, tre chorracht,
as let-sa mo mhallacht.

Bennacht uaim for Eorainn,

Eorann chaemh gan crannacht,

tre dhuilghe gan domacht

for Suibhne mo mhallacht.' Mallacht.

10 — i gurab K 2 ar K 3 roscuirfitt K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 13

10 ' My curse on Suibhne !

great is his guilt against me,

his smooth, vigorous dart

he thrust through my holy bell.

That bell which thou hast wounded
will send thee among branches,
so that thou shalt be one with the birds —
the bell of saints before saints.

Even as in an instant went
the spear-shaft on high,
mayst thou go, O Suibhne,
in madness, without respite !

Thou hast slain my foster-child,
thou hast reddened thy spear in him,
thou shalt have in return for it
that with a spear-point thou shalt die.

If there should oppose me

the progeny of Eoghan with stoutness

Uradhran and Telle

will send them into decay.

Uradhran and Telle
have sent them into decay,
this is my wish for all time i1
my curse with thee !

My blessing on Eorann !
Eorann fair without decay :
through suffering without stint
my curse on Suibhne !'

10 — i lit. ' through restlessness'.

14 BUILE SUIBHNE

11 O rochomhracsiot iarom na catha cechtarrdha ro-
bhúirs^t an da.mhrad/i dermhair adiu 7 anall amail dámha
damhghoire co ttuargrt/Mset tri tromghaire os aird.
O'dchúala thrá Suibhne na gaire mora sin 7 a fhuamanna
7 a freagartha i nellaibh nimhe 7 i fraightzM na firmaminnte
rofhéch Suibhne suas iarum co rolion nemhain 7 dobhar 7
dásacht 7 fáoinnel 7 fúalang 7 foluamain 7 udmhaille,
anbsaidhe 7 anfhoistine, miosgais1 gach ionaidh ina mbiodh
7 sere gach ionaidh noco roichedh ; romheirbhlighset a meoir,
rocriothnaighsiot a chosa, ro\uathad/i a chroidhe, roclódhadh
a c/iediad/ia., rosaobad/i a radharc, rotaz/set a airm urnocht
asa lámhuibh co ndeachaidh la breithir Remain ar gealtacht 7
ar geinidecht amail gach n-ethaid n-aeerdha.

12 An tan immorro doriacht asin ccath amach ba hain-
minic nothaidhW/z a c[h]ossa lár ar luas a réime 7 an tan
nothaidhW/z ni bhenfW/z a drucht do bharrúachtar an fheóir
ar ettroma 7 ar aerrdhacht an chéme noching^///. Ni roan
don reim roiretha sin co nár íág magh na machairi na maol-
sliabh, móin na muine na mothar, cnoc na cabhán, na coill
chlithardhluith a nEirinn gan taisdeal an lá sin1, go rainig co
Ros Beraigh2 i nGlenn Earcáin co ndeachaidh isin iobhar
robhaoi isin glinn.

13 Romheabhtf/VzV/ an cath re nDomhnall mac Aodha an
lá sin amaii adru[bru]mar 7 rohaisnéidh^7/z remhainn. Ro-
bhaoi éimh clíamzzzVz do Suibhne isin chath .1. Aonghus
Remhar mac Ardghail mic Macniadh [83 b] mic Ninnedha
do thoathaibh Ua Ninnedha do Dhál Aruidhe. Tainic sidhe

11 — 1 Ciodh tvá acht ó rochomraicsiot na catha fochedóir robhúirsett 7
rogairset na sluaigh da gach leith. O'dchuala Suibhne na gáire mora sin 7 a
bfreccartha 7 a bfuaim 7 a macalla a nellaibh nimhe 7 a bfroighthibh na firminnte
rofech súas 7 rolion némhain 7 dásacht 7 faindeal 7 fualang 7 foluamhain é 7
miosgais L

12 — 1 For the portion of the tale from this point to the commencement of
§ 63 the following is all that occurs in L : — Agus rochaith a aois 7 a aimser ar
gealtacht in Eirinn 7 a mBretain an ccein romair gan furtacht gan fóiridhin gan
taobh do tabairt le daoinibh amhail dherbhas an leabhar sgriobhthar air fein
darab ainm Buile SuibhH Ró Meraigh B Ros mBeraigh K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 15

11 Thereafter, when both battle-hosts had met, the vast
army on both sides roared in the manner of a herd of stags so
that they raised on high three mighty shouts. Now, when
Suibhne heard these great cries together with their sounds
and reverberations in the clouds of Heaven and in the vault
of the firmament, he looked up, whereupon turbulence (?), and
darkness, and fury, and giddiness, and frenzy, and flight,
unsteadiness, restlessness, and unquiet filled him, likewise
disgust with every place in which he used to be and desire
for every place which he had not reached. His fingers were
palsied, his feet trembled, his heart beat quick, his senses
were overcome, his sight was distorted, his weapons fell
naked from his hands, so that through Ronan's curse he
went, like any bird of the air, in madness and imbecility.1

12 Now, however, when he arrived out of the battle, it
was seldom that his feet would touch the ground because
of the swiftness of his course, and when he did touch it he
would not shake the dew from the top of the grass for the
lightness and the nimbleness of his step. He halted not
from that headlong course until he left neither plain, nor
field, nor bare mountain, nor bog, nor thicket, nor marsh, nor
hill, nor hollow, nor dense-sheltering wood in Ireland that he
did not travel that day,1 until he reached Ros Bearaigh, in
Glenn Earcain, where he went into the yew-tree that was in
the glen.

13 Domnall, son of Aedh, won the battle that day, as we
have already narrated.1 Suibhne had a kinsman in the battle,
to wit, Aongus the Stout, son of Ardgal, son of Macnia, son
of Ninnidh, of the tribes of Ui Ninnedha of Dal Araidhe; he

11 — i perhaps ' goblin-like'.

12 — i see note I, § 12, on opposite page ; ' and he spent his life and his time
in madness in Ireland and Britain while he lived, without aid, without succour,
without trusting people, as the book which is written on himself, called Buile
Suibhne, proves.'

13 — 1 i.e. in the Battle of Magh Rath, ed. O'Donovan ; see note 1 p. 3, supra.

16 BUILE SUIBHNE

a ráon madhma asin ccath go mbuidhin1 dia muintz'r imalle
fris 7 as í conair tainic a nGlionn [EJarcáin. Baoi siumh tra
cona muintzV ag iomradh ar Suibhne ara iong<?;/taoi leo gan
a bheo no a mharbh d'fhaicsin o rochomraicset na catha,
acht chena ba derbh leó gurab tre esgcáoine Rónáin fodrúair
gan fios a oidhedha. Rochualaidh éimh Suibhne ar chansat
7 e isin iobar osa ccionn, 7 itbert2 :

14 'A óga, tigidh a lie,
a fhiora Dhál Araidhe,
foghebhthaoi isin bhile a bfuil
an fer forsatáoi iarraidh.

Dodheónaidh Dia dhamh-sa sunn
betha iomnocht iomchumhang,
gan ceól is gan codkrt7// sáim,
gan banchuire, cen bandáil.

Misi sunn ag Ros mBearaigh,
domrad Ronán fo mheabhail,
romsgar Dia rem dheilbh nad ró,
sgarazd/i re mh'eol, a ogó.' A óga.

15 O'dchualadar na fir Suibhne ag gabáil na rann tugsrtt
aithne1 fair 7 rordid/iset fris taobh do thabairt friu. Adbert-
som nach ttiubr^/// tre bhith sior. O robhádar-somh iarumh
ag iadhad im an mbile rotogaibh Suibhne uime co háithétrom
aéerda othá sin co Cill Ríagain i tTir Chonuill 7 rothoirinn
iarumh a mbile na cille. As ag an mbile sin dorala do
Dhomhnall mac Aodha cona sluagaibh do ueith a haithle
an c/iatha. 7 o'dchonncadar an gheilt ag dol isin mbile
tangadar drong dona slóghaibh go roiadhs^t ina iomthac-
mhang ima ccuairt ; gabhaid iarumh ag tabairt túarusgbála
na geilti os aird, adberedh fer arm ba ben, adberedh fer eile
ba fer robhui ann, go ttaivzd2 Domhnall fé[i]n aithne1 fair,

13 — 1 sic K mbuighin B 2 go nebhairt an laoidh go truagh K

15—1 aithghni K 2 tard K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 17

came in flight with a number of his people out of the battle, and
the route he took was through Glenn Earcain. Now he and his
people were conversing about Suibhne [saying) how strange it
was that they had not seen him alive or dead after the battle-
hosts had met. Howbeit, they felt certain it was because of
Ronan's curse that there were no tidings of his fate. Suibhne in
the yew-tree above them heard what they spoke, and he said :

14 ' O warriors, come hither,
O men of Dal Araidhe,
you will find in the tree in which he is
the man whom you seek.

God has vouchsafed me here

life very bare, very narrow,

without music and without restful sleep,

without womenfolk, without a woman-tryst.

Here at Ros Bearaigh am I,
Ronan has put me under disgrace,
God has severed me from my form,1
know me no more, O warriors.'

15 When the men heard Suibhne reciting the verses, they
recognized him, and urged him to trust them. He said that
he would never do so. Then, as they were closing round the
tree, Suibhne rose out of it very lightly and nimbly (and
went) to Cell Riagain in Tir Conaill where he perched on the
old tree of the church. It chanced that it was at that tree
Domnall, son of Aedh, and his army were after the battle,
and when they saw the madman going into the tree, a portion
of the army came and closed in all round it. Thereupon
they began describing aloud the madman ; one man would
say that it was a woman, another that it was a man, until
Domnall himself recognized him, whereupon he said : ' It is

14 — I lit. ' from my form which is not too much
C

18 BUILE SUIBHNE

conadh ann adbert : ' As é Suibhne fil ann,' ar sé, ' .i. righ
Dal Araidhe roesgcáoin Rónfán] an lá tugadk an cath.
Maith éimh an fer fil ann,' ar sé, ' 7 da madh áil leis seóide3
7 máoini d'fhag&z// íogebad/i úainne da ttug<r^/z taobh frinn.
Truag lem,' ar sé, ' iarsma muintire Congail amlaidh sin, ar
robtar maith 7 robtar mora mo chomh^a-sa4 do Chongal,'
ar se, ' re ccur an chatha, et robadh maith áono comairle
Choluim Chille don ghille úd fe[i]n da ndeachaidh le Congal
do chuingidh sochraidhe co righ Alban im aghazd/z-si ' ;
conadh ann adbert Domhnall an laid :

16 ' Cionnus sin, a Suibhne seing?
robadh1 tóiseuch mór ndíreim2
an la tugadh an cath clóen,
ar Mace Rath robadh1 rochoemh.

Cosmhuil do ghnúis ergna iar n-ól
re corcair no re coemhor,
cosmhuil do chúl gan chaire
re cluimh no re casnazdke.

Cosmhuil gne3 do chuzrp choidche
re sneachta n-úar n-aénoidhche,
do rosg rogormadh mar ghloin,
mar oighreadh seimh snuadhamail.

Aluinn cuma do da chos,
dar Horn ni trén th'urradhus,
t'airm rathmara, ruicthis4 fuil,
robsat athlumha i n-iomghuin. [84a]

Targaidh Colaim Cille dheit
nemh agus righe, a romheic,
diogháir tangais isin magh
o priomh[f]áidh nimhe is talmhan.

15 — 3 seoid K 4 sic K comhadhsa B

16 — 1 robat K 2 ineirinn K 3 sic K; om. B 4 ruictis K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 19

Suibhne, king of Dal Araidhe, whom Ronan cursed the day
the battle was fought. Good in sooth is the man who is
there,' said he, * and if he wished for treasures and wealth
he would obtain them from us if only he would trust us.
Sad is it to me,' said he, ' that the remnant of Congal's
people are thus, for both good and great were the ties that
bound me to Congal before undertaking the battle, and good
moreover was the counsel of Colum Cille to that youth
himself when he went with Congal to ask an army from the
king of Alba against me ' ; whereupon Domnall uttered the
lay :

16 ' How is that, O slender Suibhne ?
thou wert leader of many hosts ;
the day the iniquitous battle was fought
at Magh Rath thou wert most comely.

Like crimson or like beautiful gold

was thy noble countenance after feasting,

like down or like shavings

was the faultless hair of thy head.

Like cold snow of a single night
was the aspect of thy body ever ;
blue-hued was thine eye, like crystal,
like smooth, beautiful ice.

Delightful the shape of thy feet,
not powerful methinks was thy chieftainship ;
thy fortunate weapons — they could draw blood —
were swift in wounding.

Colum Cille offered thee
Heaven and kingship, O splendid youth,
eagerly (?) thou hast come into the plain
from the chief prophet of Heaven and earth.

C2

20 BUILE SUIBHNE

Adubairt Colum Cille,
fáidh fosaidh na firinne,
lion ticcthi tar tuile theinn
ni riccthi uile a hEirinn.

Targus-sa do Chongal Chlaon
tan robamar imaráon
bennacht fer nErenn uile,
ba mor an t-ioc enuige.4

Mima gabha uaim-si sin,
a Chonghail chaoimh mic Sgannail,
ga breith bheire, mor an modh,
orm-sa, más eadh, it aonor?

[Congal :] Gébhad-sa úait madh maith lat,
tabhair dhamh-sa do dhá mac,
do lámh dhiot5 is do bhen mhas,
t'ingen is do rosg rinnglas.

[Domnall:] Nocha béra acht rinn fri rind,

béd-sa choidche in bhar n-oirchill,
as e ar ccomhradh iman ccacht,
beir-si lomnán mo mallacht.

Bidh cuid do chuifir6 do chorp,
beittid fiaich ar do t[h]romthocht,
nodgonfa ga dremhan dubh
agus beir-si faon folumh.

Atáoi it áonar seach gach righ
gum aimhles o thir do7 thir,
rodlesaighes thairis sin
on lo rondug do mháthair.

16 — 4 enuig/ze K 5 sic K ; duit B 6 sic B ; chiufir K 7 co K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 21

Said Colum Cille,

steadfast prophet of truth,

' as many of you as come over the strong flood

will not all return from Erin.' l

I offered Congal Claon

when we were together

the blessing of all the men of Erin ;

great was the mulct for one Qgg.3

If thou wilt not accept that from me,

0 fair Congal, son of Scannal,

what judgment then — deed of great moment —
wilt thou pass upon me ?

Congal : (These) will I accept from thee if thou deemest it
well :
give me thy two sons,

thy hand from thee, likewise thy stately wife,
thy daughter and thy eye blue-starred.

Domnall : Thou shalt not have but spear to spear,

1 shall be evermore lying in wait for you,
this is our speech about the bondage ;
take thou the full of my curse !

Thy body will be a feast for birds of prey,
ravens will be on thy heavy silence,
a fierce, black spear shall wound thee,
and thou shalt be laid on thy back, destitute.

My bane from land to land

art thou alone beyond each king,

yet I have befriended thee

since the day thy mother brought thee forth.

16 — I lit. 'the number ye come over the strong flood ye do not all return from
Erin'.

2 see Notes.

22 BUILE SUIBHNE

As ann fós tugadh an cath
ar an maighin a Muigh Rath,
robhúi bráon dar claideamh nglas,
torc[h]air Congal Cláon cionnus.' Cionnus.

17 O'dchuala tra Suibhne sésdan na sochaidhe 7 muirn
an morsluaigh nostogb^zV//; uime asin mbile re fraisnelWM
na firmaiminti ós mullaighibh gacha maighni 7 os fheigi
gacha ferainn. Baoi fri re chein iarsin seachnoin Erenn ag
tadhall 7 ag turrag a sgalpaibh cruadhcharrag 7 a ndosaibh
crann urard eidhneack 7 i ccuasaibh caolchumhguibh cloch
o inber do inber 7 o binn do binnd 7 o glinn do glionn go
rainic Glenn mbit[h]aluinn mBolcáin. Ann nothaigtais1
gealta Eirenn o robadh slán a mbliadhain ar gealtacht, ar
as ionadh aoibhnesa móir an glenn sin do gheltaibh dogrés.
Uair as amlaidh ata Glenn mBolcáin 7 ceithre doirsi ag an
ngaoith ann 7 roschoill roaluinn rocháoin ann bheós 7 tio-
brada táobhghlana 7 uarána ionnfhuara 7 glaisi gainmzV///e
glanuisgzd/ze 7 biorar barrghlas 7 fothlocht fann foda for a
lár. Iomda fhos a samha2 7 a siomsáin 7 a lus-bian3 7 a
biorragáin,4 a chaora 7 a chreamh, a mhelle 7 a miodhbhun 7
ahnidke5 dubha 7 a dercain donna. Nobidh dono gach ae
dona gealtaibh ag tuargazn a chéile im thogha biorair an
ghlenna sin 7 im roignibh a leptach.

18 Robúi dono Suibne athaigh fhoda isin ghlenn sin
conustarla aen na n-oidhche ann a mullach sgiach urairde
eidhmd/ie robhaoi isin glinn.1 Roba deacair do-sumh ium-
fhulang na leaptha sin, uair gach cor 7 gach iompodh
nochuir^/z dhe nothegmadh frais do dhealgaibh sgiach ann,
co mbittis ag tolladh 7 ag treaghdadk a thaoibh 7 ag comh-
ghuin a c[h]nis. Roaitherr#z£-/z Suibne iarum asin leabaidh
sin dochum ionaidh ele. As amhlaidh eimh robhui an

17 — 1 sic K ; nothiadhtais B 2 samadh K 3 luis-bian K 4 biorra-

gaind K 5 sic K ; airne B
I8—1 add. é B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 23

'Tis there the battle was fought —
at the stead in Magh Rath —
there was a drop on a gleaming sword ;
so fell Congal Claon.'

17 Now when Suibhne heard the shout of the multitude
and the tumult of the great army, he ascended from the tree
towards the rain-clouds of the firmament, over the summits
of every place and over the ridge-pole of every land. For a
long time thereafter he was (faring) throughout Ireland,
visiting and searching in hard, rocky clefts and in bushy
branches of tall ivy-trees, in narrow cavities of stones, from
estuary to estuary, from peak to peak, and from glen to glen,
till he reached ever-delightful Glen Bolcain. It is there the
madmen of Ireland used to go when their year in madness
was complete, that glen being ever a place of great delight for
madmen. For it is thus Glen Bolcain is : it has four gaps to
the wind, likewise a wood very beautiful, very pleasant, and
clean-banked wells and cool springs, and sandy, clear-water
streams, and green-topped watercress and brooklime bent and
long on their surface. Many likewise are its sorrels, its
wood-sorrels, its lus-bian and its biorragan, its berries, and its
wild garlic, its melle and its tniodhbhun? its black sloes and
its brown acorns. The madmen moreover used to smite
each other for the pick of watercress of that glen and for the
choice of its couches.

18 Suibhne also remained for a long time in that glen
until he happened one night to be on the top of a tall ivy-
clad hawthorn tree which was in the glen. It was hard for him
to endure that bed, for at every twist and turn he would give,
a shower of thorns off the hawthorn would stick in him, so
that they were piercing and rending his side and wounding
his skin. Suibhne thereupon changed from that bed to another

17 — i Melle (melne) is atriplex or golden herb ; what the other plants are I
cannot ascertain.

24 BUILE SUIBHNE

t-ionadh sin 7 motharmhuine móirdreasa mindeilgneach
ann 7 áonc[h]raobh dhioghainn droighin ar na hionfhás
[84 b] na hénur tresan muine suas. Tairlsed/i Suibhne for
barr na craoibhe sin, sdúaghais 7 lúbais an craobh chomh-
cháol robháoi faoi go ttarla beim n-asglainn de tresan muine
go ttorc/zazr go lár talman, co nach raibhe méd n-orlazg/i ann
o a bhonn go a bhathais gan fhuiliúgudh, gan forrdergudh fair.
Adráigh iaromh go heneirt anfann 7 dothoed tresan muine
amach, co n-ébairt : ' Mo chubhais eimh/ ar sé, ' as deacair an
bheatha so d'fhulangtar éis deghbhethad 7 bliadhain gus aréir
damh-sa forsan mbetbaidh-si'; conadh ann adbert an laoi[dh] :

19 ' Bliadhain gus aréir

dhamh fo chiamhair chraobh1
eitir tuile is traigh
gan tuighe fom tháobh.

Gan cerchaill fom chionn
eitir ferchloinn fhinn,
baeghal, a Dhé, dhuinn,
gan fhaobar, gan rinn.

Gan comhthocht fri mnáibh,
acht madh fothlacht fian,
as cuid iodhan óg,
biolar, as é ar mian.

Gan rúcithar co righ
am úathadh im eól,
gan airgni go hán,
gan chairde, gan cheol.

Gan chodladh, monúar,
go n-abrar a fhior,
gan chobhair co dan,
as doraidh mo dhiol.

19 — 1 ceimair craebh K.

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 25

place, where there was a dense thicket of great briars with fine
thorns and a single protruding branch of blackthorn growing
alone up through the thicket. Suibhne settled on the top of
that tree, but so slender was it that it bowed and bent under
him, so that he fell heavily through the thicket to the ground,
and there was not as much as an inch from his sole to the crown
of his head that was not wounded and reddened. He then rose
up, strengthless and feeble, and came out through the thicket,
whereupon he said: 'My conscience!' said he, 'it is hard to
endure this life after a pleasant one, and a year to last night
I have been leading this life,' whereupon he uttered the lay :

19 ' A year to last night

have I been among the gloom of branches,
between flood and ebb,
without covering around me.

Without a pillow beneath my head,
among the fair children of men ;
there is peril to us, O God,
without sword, without spear.

Without the company of women ;
save brooklime of warrior-bands —
a pure fresh meal —
watercress is our desire.

Without a foray with a king,
I am alone in my home,
without glorious reavings,1
without friends, without music.

Without sleep, alas !
let the truth be told,
without aid for a long time,
hard is my lot.

19 — i perhaps ' spoils.'

26 BUILE SUIBHNE

Gan tegh lomnán lán,
gan comhrádh bfher bfhíal,
gan righ riom da rádh,
gan lionn is gan biadh.

Trúagh romt[h]esirbad/i sunn
rem sluagh trealmach trom,
im geilt gé[i]r tar gleann
gan chéill is gan chonn.

Gan bheth ar cuairt righ
acht rúaig ar gach ráon
as í an mhire mhór,
a ri nimhe naomh.

Gan áos comhlán ciúil,
gan comhrádh fri mnáibh,
gan tiodhnacal séd,
tuc mh'ég, a Christ cháidh.

Robadhus-sa feacht,
ge béo mar 'tú anocht,
ba neamhfhann mo nert
ar ferann nárbh olc.

Ar eachaibh co hán
i mbeathaid can bhrón,
ar mo righe raith2
robsam3 righ maith mór.

Beith mar 'tu 'na dhiaid
dot chreic, a Christ cáidh,
im4 bhochtán gan brigh
a nGlionn Bolcáin báin.

2 sic K, righi (?) raith B 3 robam K 4 am K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 27

Without a house right full,

without the converse of generous men,

without the title of king,

without drink, without food.

Alas that I have been parted here
from my mighty, armed host,
a bitter madman in the glen,
bereft of sense and reason.

Without being on a kingly circuit,
but rushing along every path ;
that is the great madness,

0 King of Heaven of saints.

Without accomplished musicians,
without the converse of women,
without bestowing treasures ;
it has caused my death, O revered Christ.

Though I be as I am to-night,
there was a time

when my strength was not feeble
over a land that was not bad.

On splendid steeds,
in life without sorrow,
in my auspicious kingship

1 was a good, great king.

After that, to be as I am
through selling Thee, O revered Christ !
a poor wretch am I, without power,
in the Glen of bright Bolcan.

28 BUILE SUIBHNE

An see nach máoth bárr5
romthraoth is romt[h]oll,
súaill nach ttuc mh' oiáidh,
an craobh droighin dhonn.

Cath Congail co cclu,
ba liach dhún fo dhi,
ba dia mairt an maidhm,
lía ar mairbh 'naid6 ar mbi.

Ar fseinnel go fior

gerbham sseirí/ier séimh,

isam triamhain trógh

bliadhain gus aréir.' Bliadhain.

20 Robháoi-siumh amlaidh sin a nGlinn Bolcáin go
rostógaibh uime feacht ann co ráinic QXúain Cilli a ccoiccrich
Thire Chonaill 7 Thire Boghainfe].1 Dochuaidh iarumh for
sraz'th na tiopraidi2 gur chaith biorar 7 uisge ann an oidhche
sin. Téit iarumh a mbile na cilli. As é ba hoirchinneach isin
chill sin Fáibhlen do muintir Brughaig/i mic Deaghaidk 7
tainic doinenn mór dermhair ann an oidhche sin gur rochuir
ar Suibhne go mor méd ansóidh na hoidhchi sin 7 adbert-
somh : ' Trúagh ámh/ ar sé, 'nach air Muigh Rath rommhar-
badh-sa resiu nobheinn isin deacair-si ' ; go n-ébairt an
laoi[dh] annso siosana go leig3 :

t>v

21 ' Anocht is fúar an snechta,

fodeachta is buan mo bhochta,
nidom neirt isin deab?^^^
im1 geilt romgeoghuin gorta.

19—5 sic B barr K- 6 nait K

20 — 1 heoguine K 2 tiopratt K 3 an laoidh go truagh annso sios K

21—1 am K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 29

The hawthorn that is not soft-topped
has subdued me, has pierced me ;
the brown thorn-bush
has nigh caused my death.

The battle of Congal with fame,

to us it was doubly piteous ;

on Tuesday was the rout ;

more numerous were our dead than our living.

A-wandering in truth,
though I was noble and gentle,
I have been sad and wretched
a year to last night.'

20 In that wise he remained in Glen Bolcain until at a
certain time he raised himself up (into the air) and went to
Cluain Cille on the border of Tir Conaill and Tir Boghaine.
He went then to the brink of the well where he had for food
that night watercress and water. Thereafter he went into
the old tree of the church. The erenach of the church was
Faibhlen of the family of Brughach, son of Deaghadh. That
night there came an exceeding great storm so that the
extent of the night's misery affected Suibhne greatly, and he
said : ' Sad indeed is it that I was not slain at Magh Rath
rather than that I should encounter this hardship'; whereupon
he uttered this lay :

21 ' Cold is the snow to-night,
lasting now is my poverty,
there is no strength in me for fight,
famine has wounded me, madman as I am.

30 BUILE SUIBHNE

Atchid each nidom chuchtach,
as lorn i snáth mo cheirteach,
Suibhne mh'ainm o Ros Ercain,
as misi an gealtán gealtach.

Nidom fois o thig aghaidh,2
ni thaidlenn3 mo chois conair,
nocha biu sonna a cciana,
domeccad ialla omhain.4

Mo bháire tar muir mbarcláin5
ar ndol tar sáile soclán,6
7rogab time7 mo nertan,
as me gealtán Ghlinne Bolcáin.

Gaoth an reoidh ag mo rébadh,
sneachta romleón8 go leige,
an tsion dom breith a n-éccuibh
do géccuibh gacha geicce. [85a]

Romgonsat géga glasa
co rorébsat mo bossa,
ni fargaibhset na dreasa
damna creasa dom chossa.

Ata crioth ar mo lámha
tar gach mbioth fatha mbúaidre,
do Sliabh Mis ar Sliabh Cuillenn,
do Sléibh Cuillenn co Cuailgne.

As trúagh mo nuallán 9 choidhche
i mullach Cruachán Oighle,
do Ghlinn Bolcain for lie,
do C[h]inn Tire for Boirche.

21 — 2 adhaigh K 3 sic K ; is ni thaighlenn B 4 domeccadh ialla

omhain B ; domechad ialla omhon K, but domfhochaid has been written in
the margin by Peter O'Connell, who used the K text for his Dictionary
5 barcglan K 6 sic K ; sochlán B 7-7 sic K ; rotimi B 8 romlean K

9 nual K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 31

All men see that I am not shapely,
bare of thread is my tattered garment,
Suibhne of Ros Earcain is my name,
the crazy madman am I.

I rest not when night comes,

my foot frequents no trodden way,

I bide not here for long,

the bonds of terror come upon me.

My goal lies beyond the teeming main,
voyaging the prow-abounding sea ;
fear has laid hold of my poor strength,
I am the crazy one of Glen Bolcain.

Frosty wind tearing me,
already snow has wounded me,
the storm bearing me to death
from the branches of each tree.

Grey branches have wounded me,

they have torn my hands ;

the briars have not left

the making of a girdle for my feet.

There is a palsy on my hands,
everywhere there is cause of confusion,
from Sliabh Mis to Sliabh Cuillenn,
from Sliabh Cuillenn to Cuailgne.

Sad forever is my cry
on the summit of Cruachan Aighle,
from Glen Bolcain to Islay,
from Cenn Tire to Boirche.

32 BUILE SUIBHNE

Beg mo chuid o thig laa,
ni that ar scath la noa,
barr biorair Chluana Cille
la gleorán Chille Cua.10

An gen " fil ag Ros Earcach

ni thair imned/i na olcach,

as edli dombeir gan nertach12

beith re sneachta eo nochtach.' Anocht.

&'

22 Tainic Suibhne roimhe iarumh co riacht an chill ag
Snamh dha En for Sionainn, dían comainm J Cluain Boirenn
an tan sa ; dia na haoine didine an tsainridh rainic-siu'mh
annsin. As aim iarumh bádar cleirigh na cille ag dénamh
an uird nóna 7 mná ag tuargain lin 7 ben ag breth 2 leinb.
1 Nior bhó coir eimh,' ar Suibhne, 'don mhnáoi aoine an
Choimdedh do mhiWed/i. Feibh thúairges an ben an lion/
ar sé, 'as amhlaidh sin rotúairgeadh 3 mo muinter-sa isin
chath a Maigh Rath/ RochúaW^/z-sion iarum clog an
esparta4 aga bhuain, conadh ann adbert : ' Ba binne lem-sa
éimh/ ar sé, ' guth na ccuach do chloinsin ar5 bruach na
Banna do gach leith inás grig-gráig an chluig si atchl&zV/im
anocht,' co n-ebert an laoidh :

23 ' Binne lem im na tonna

mh' ingne anocht cidh it cranna
na gricc-graicc chlogáin chille
an chú do[gní] cúi Banna.1

21 — 10 gleour Glinne CoaK 11 gein K 12 leg. nerta

22 — 1 dia na hainm K 2 toirb<?rt K 3 rothuairgitt K 4 sic BK.

5 chloisteacht um K

23 — 1 For this stanza and the following K has :

Binni leam im na tonna

m' adhbha anocht ciodhat crannda,

la nach loingenn Suibhne Geilt

ar seirc righ na firinde.

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 33

Small is my portion when day comes,
it comes not as a new day's right (?),
a tuft of watercress of Cluain Cille
with Cell Cua's cuckoo flower.

He who is at Ros Earcach,

neither trouble nor evil shall come to him ;

that which makes me strengthless

is being in snow in nakedness.'

22 So Suibhne fared forth until he reached the church at
Snamh dha En on the Shannon, which is now called Cluain
Boirenn ; he arrived there on a Friday, to speak precisely.
The clerics of the church were then fulfilling the office of
nones ; women were beating flax, and one was giving birth to
a child. ' It is not meet, in sooth,' said Suibhne, ' for the
women to violate the Lord's fast-day ; even as the woman
beats the flax,' said he, ' so were my folk beaten in the battle
of Magh Rath.' He heard then the vesper-bell pealing,
whereupon he said : ' Sweeter indeed were it to me to hear
the voices of the cuckoos on the banks of the Bann from
every side than the grig-graig of this bell which I hear
to-night '; and he uttered the lay :

23 ' Sweeter to me about the waves —

though my talons to-night are feeble1 —
than the grig-graig of the church-bell,
is the cooing of the cuckoo of the Bann.

A bhen na tairbhir do mhac
dia na haeini didine
na gricc grace chlogáin cille
an cú doghni cui banna.

23 — i throughout the story he speaks as though he imagined himself a bird
see the Notes as to this stanza.

D

34 BUILE SUIBHNE

A bhen, na tairbhir do mac
día na háoine dídine,
lá nach luingenn3 Suibhne Geilt
ar4 seirc5 righ na firinne.

Amail tuairgitt6 na mna an lion,
is fior ge nomc[h]luin/W'-sa,
amlaidh rothuairgit 'san chath
for Maigh Rath mo mhuinter-sa.

O Loch Diolair an aille
go Doire Coluim Chille
nocha deabaid/z rochuala7
ó ealaib buadha binne.

Dord daimh dhíthreibhe ós aille
bios a Siodhmhuine Glinne,
noc[h]an fuil ceol ar talmain
im anmuin acht a bliinne.

A Chriost, a Chriost romc[h]luine,

a Chriost, a Chriost gan bine,

a Chriost, a Chriost romc[h]ara,

na romscara red binne.' Binne.

24 Rosiecht immorro Suibhne arnabhárach go [Cill]
Derfil*1 gur chaith biorar na tiobraidi2 7 an t-uisge robhui
isin chill 7 tainic doinenn dermhair isin oidchi go rosgab
athtuirsi adhbhalmor 7 snimhche Suibhne tria olcus a beathad
7 bheós rob imsniomhach athtuirseach leis bheith a n-égmuis
Dhál Araidhe ; conadh aim adbert na randa sae :

25 ' Mh'aghaid/i a cCill Der ffile1
as í robris mo chroidhe,
dursan damh, a mic mo Dhé,
sgaradh re Dal nAraidhé.

23 — 3 loingenn K 4 sic K a B 5 shearc B ; sc K 6 sic K ;

rothungid B 7 rocualae K

24 — 1 go derbhfil \& B ; go derffil ^/ K 2 tioprat K

25—1 sic K ; derffil w B.

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 35

O woman, do not bring forth thy son
on a Friday,

the day whereon Suibhne Geilt eats not
out of love for the King of righteousness.

As the women scutch the flax —
'tis true though 'tis I be heard —
even so were beaten my folk
in the battle of Magh Rath.

From Loch Diolair of the cliff
to Derry Coluim Cille
it was not strife that I heard
from splendid, melodious swans.

The belling of the stag of the desert above the cliffs
in Siodhmuine Glinne —
there is no music on earth
in my soul but its sweetness.

O Christ, O Christ, hear me !
O Christ, O Christ, without sin !
O Christ, O Christ, love me !
sever me not from thy sweetness ! '

24 On the morrow Suibhne went to Cell Derfile where he
fared on watercress of the well and the water which was in
the church ; there came a great storm in the night, and
exceeding sorrow and grief took hold of Suibhne because of
the wretchedness of his life ; and moreover it was a cause of
grief and sorrow to him to be absent from Dal Araidhe,
whereupon he uttered these staves :

25 ■ My night in Cell Derfile
'tis it has broken my heart ;
sad for me, O Son of my God,
is parting from Dal Araidhe.

D2

36 BUILE SUIBHNE

Deichneamhar is deich cet labch
rob é mo slúagh ag Druim Fraoch,
ge beó gan treisi, a mic Dé,
ba misi a ccenn comairlé.

Muichm'd/ie mh'aghaidh anocht
gan giolla is gan longphort,
niorbh í mh'aghaidh ag Druim Damh,
meisi is Faolchu is Conghal. [85b]

Mairg ro[m]fuirg££^ risin dáil,

a mo ruire an ríchid2 ráin,

gen go bfhaghainn-si d'ulc dhe

go brath acht an oidhchi-se.' M'aghaidh.

26 Seacht mbliadhna comhlána do Suibhne ar fud Erenn
as gach aird go aroile go ttoiracht1 aon na oidhche2 ami
co Glenn Bolcáin, fobith is ann robhaoi a dhaingen 7 a
dhunárus comhnaidhe-siumh 7 ba haoibhne leis oirisiumh
7 aittreabadh ann inás i ngach ionadh a nErinn ina égmuis,
úair dosoich^^3 chuige as gach aird d'Eirinn 7 ni theighadh
uadh acht re huaman 7 re huiregla mhóir. Roairbhir bhith
Suibhne ann an aghaidh sin co ttoirracht Loingseachán fora
iarraidh isin maidin arnarnhárach. Adberat furenn ann
gurbho mac mathar dho-sumh Loingseachán, adberat furenn
eile ba comhalta, acht cena cibe dhibh sin é roba mór a
dheithidin uime-siumh, uair dochuaidh-siumh fo thri for
gealtacht 7 dusfug-sumh fo thri for cculaibh. Robhaoi
Loingseachán aga iarraidh-siomh don dul sin isin ghlionn, co
bfuair sliocht bharr a throigh^A a mbruach na glaisi isa biorar
\-\ox\hedh 7 fos fuair na craobha nomheabhtaís fo a chosaibh
ag aitherrach do bharr an c[h]roind for aroile. Ni bfuair-
siumh &ono an gheilt an lá sin co ndeachaidh a faisteach
folamh isin glinn gur tuit a suan toirrchim codalta fair ann

25—2 richith K ; righthigh B.

26 — 1 ttoracht K 2 noidhche K 3 nosoich^A K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 37

Ten hundred and ten warriors,
that was my host at Druim Fraoch,
though I am without strength, O Son of God,
'twas I who was their leader in counsel.

Gloomy is my night to-night
without serving-man, without camp ;
not so was my night at Druim Damh,
I and Faolchu and Congal.

Alas ! that I was detained for the tryst,
O my Prince of the glorious Kingdom !
though I should not get any harm therefrom
forever except this night.'

26 For seven whole years Suibhne wandered over Ireland
from one point to another until one night he arrived at Glen
Bolcain ; for it is there stood his fortress and his dwelling-
place, and more delightful was it to him to tarry and abide
there than in any other place in Ireland ; for thither would
he go from every part of Ireland, nor would he leave it except
through fear and terror. Suibhne dwelt there that night, and
on the morrow morning Loingseachan came seeking him.
Some say that Loingseachan was Suibhne' s mother's son,
•others that he was a foster-brother, but, whichever he was, his
concern for Suibhne was great, for he (Suibhne/ went off three
times in madness and thrice he brought him back. This time
Loingseachan was seeking him in the glen, and he found the
track of his feet by the brink of the stream of which he was
wont to eat the watercress. He found also the branches that
used to break under his feet as he changed from the top of
one tree to another. That day, however, he did not find the
madman, so he went into a deserted house in the glen, and
there he fell into deep sleep after the great labour of the

38 BUILE SUIBHNE

iar morsaothar luirg Suibhni forsa raibhe3 iarair. Doluidh
iaromh Suibhne fora sliocht-somh go mbúi forsan teach co
ccúalaidh iarum srainn Loingseacháin ann ; conadh iarsin
adbert an láoidh-si :

27 ' An fer ag froig focherd srainn,
súan mar soin nocha lamhaim,
seacht mbliadhna on mhairt a Muigh Rath
nochar chotlus t'mneabrad/i.

Do chath rod,

a Dhé [nime], ni ma lott,

ba Suibhne Geilt m'ainm iar sin,

mh'aonar dhamh a mbarr eidhin.1

Biorar thiobrad Droma Cirb,
as e mo sásadh im theirt,
as aithnzd/z orm2 gnúis a ghné,
as fior is mé Suibhne Geilt.

Dearbh as misi3 Suibhne Geilt
fer contuil fo choemhna4 ceirt,
im Sliabh Liag ma do cló
domseannad5 na flora so.

Antan ba-sum Suibhne sruith
arbhirinn bith a n-úarbhuith
i seisg, a sesgonn,G i sléibh :
rorer m'eol ar7 eidirchéin.

Atloc[h]ar don righ-si thúas
las nach gnáth an t-iomarchrúas,
as edh romucc as mo riocht
a mhéd robhá for ecciort.

26 — 3 ca added above B
27—1 K has :

Do chath rot a Dhe nirahe

ni ma lott ba Suibhne

geilt m'ainm iarsin

m'aonar i mbarraibh eidhinn.

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 39

pursuit of Suibhne whom he was seeking. Then Suibhne
came upon his track so that he reached the house, and there
he heard Loingseachan's snore ; whereupon he uttered this
lay :

27 ' The man by the wall snores,
slumber like that I dare not ;
for seven years from the Tuesday at Magh Rath
I have not slept a wink.

0 God of Heaven ! would that I had not gone
to the fierce battle !

thereafter Suibhne Geilt was my name,
alone in the top of the ivy.

Watercress of the well of Druim Cirb
is my meal at terce ;
on my face may be recognized its hue,
'tis true I am Suibhne Geilt.

For certain am 1 Suibhne Geilt,
one who sleeps under shelter of a rag,
about Sliabh Liag if . . .
these men pursue me.

When I was Suibhne the sage,

1 used to dwell in a lonely shieling,

on sedgy land, on a morass, on a mountain-side ;
I have bartered my home for a far-off land.

I give thanks to the King above

with whom great harshness is not usual ;

'tis the extent of my injustice

that has changed my guise.

2 as suaithnedh form K 3 sic K mé B 4 caomhna K 5 domsennat K

6 i seiscc i seasfiv/d K 7 sic K ; om. B

40 BUILE SUIBHNE

As fuit, fuit datnh o nach mair
mo chollan i n-eidhnechaibh,
ÍQraidh mor do sionaibh air
agus mor do thoirneachaibh.

Gidh im beó o gach dinn do dhinn
isin sliobh os iubairghlinn,
ait i fargbtf^/z Conga) Cláon
monúar na rom{a.r[g]bad/i faon.8

Meinic m' ong

cian om relic mo theach toll,
nidom nia acht im geilt ghann,
Dia romc[h]lann i cceirt gan chonn.

As mor báos

a Glinn Bolcain acht ce tses,
fil mor do abhlaibh a nGlinn
Bolcáin do é\mhedh{}y mo chinn.

Biorar glas

agus deogh d'uisge glain,

nosibhim, ni thibim gen,

ni hionann sa[n] fer ag froigh.

Eidir corraibh Cúailghne saimh,10

eitir chúanaibh11 o thig gaimh,

fo chéibh chaille gach re seal,

ni hionann sa[n] fer ag fraigh. [86a]

Glenn mBolcáin mbil bél re gabith

ima ngairid geilte12 glinne,

ni chodlaim ann, monuar dhamh,

am truaighe na an fer a[g] fraigh.'13 An fer.

27 — 8 fhargbrti/ i cein K 9 eimh ^ K 10 sáimh B ; isnam K

II conaiph K 12 sic B ; geilt ^ K 13 srainn K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 41

Cold, cold for me is it

since my body lives not in the ivy-bushes,

much rain comes upon it

and much thunder.

Though I live from hill to hill
in the mountain above the yew glen ;
in the place where Congal Claon was left
alas that I was not left there on my back !

Frequent is my groan,

far from my churchyard is my gaping house ;
I am no champion but a needy madman,
God has thrust me in rags, without sense.

'Tis great folly

for me to come out of Glen Bolcain,

there are many apple-trees in Glen Bolcain

for . . . of my head.

Green watercress
and a draft of pure water,
I fare on them, I smile not,
not so the man by the wall.

In summer amid the herons of Cuailgne,
among packs of wolves when winter comes,
at other times under the crown of a wood ;
not so the man by the wall.

Happy Glen Bolcain, fronting the wind,

around which madmen of the glen call,

woe is me ! I sleep not there ;

more wretched am I than the man bv the wall.'

42 BUILE SUIBHNE

28 A haithle na laidhe sin doluidh-siumh isin oidhche
ar ccionn co muilenn Loingseacháin ; aonc[h]ailleach ag a
choimhéd-sidhi .i. Lonnog inghenDuibh Dhit[h]ribh mathair
mhná Loingseacháin. Tainic Suibhne isin teach cuice 7
tuc si mírenna beca dhó 7 robhui fri re chian ag aithighidh
an mhuilinn amhlaidh sin. Luid Loingseachán for a sliocht-
somh lá n-ann conusfaca for taidhin an mhuilinn é 7 téit
d'agallamh na caillighi .i. co Lonnóig mathair a mhná.
1 An ttainic Suibhne 'san muilenn, a chaillech ?' ar Loing-
seachán. ' Robúi areir co déidhenach sunn,' ar an chaillech.
Rogabh iarum Loingseachán ceirt na caillighe uime 7 roan
isin muilenn tar éis na caillighe 7 tainic Suibhne an oidhche
sin don mhuilinn co ttug aithne ar Loingseachán. O'dchonn-
arc a suile co ling1 úadha focedóir dar forlés an tighe amach 7
adbert : ' A Loingseacháin,' ar sé, ' as trúagh th'amus orm-sa
arim thafann as mh'ionadh 7 as gach ionadh2 is diule3 Hum
i nErinn 7 o nach leig Rón[án] damh-sa taobh do thabhairt
friot as liosda lenamhnach dhuit ueith dom lenmhuin'; 7
dorinne an laoidh so ann :

29 ' A Loingseacháin, liosda sin,
nochan uain damh t'agalloimh,
ni léig dhamh Rónán taobh friot,
as e domrad a n-ainriocht.

Doradus urchar gan ágh
a lar an chatha ar Ronán,
co robhen isin chlog chain
robhaoi for ucht an chléirigh.

Mar dotheilgius urchar n-án
do lár an chatha ar Ronán,
4 ced duit/ ar an cleireach cain,
'dul arsen risna hénaibh.'

28 — 1 roling K 2 as truag thangus agam thofann as gach ionad K

^ dilia K.

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 43

28 After that lay he came the next night to Loingseachan's
mill which was being watched over by one old woman,
Lonnog, daughter of Dubh Dithribh, mother of Loingseachan's
wife. Suibhne went into the house to her and she gave him
small morsels, and for a long time in that manner he kept
visiting the mill. One day Loingseachan set out after him,
when he saw him by the mill-stream, and he went to speak to
the old woman, that is, his wife's mother, Lonnog. ' Has
Suibhne come to the mill, woman?' said Loingseachan. 'He
was last here last night,' said the woman. Loingseachan
then put on the woman's garment and remained in the mill
after her ; that night Suibhne came to the mill and he
recognised Loingseachan. When he saw his eyes, he sprang
away from him at once out through the skylight of the house,
saying : ' Pitiful is your pursuit of me, Loingseachan, chasing
me from my place and from each spot dearest to me in
Ireland; and as Ronan does not allow me to trust you, it is
tiresome and importunate of you to be following me " ; and
he made this lay :

29 ' O Loingseachan, thou art irksome,
I have not leisure to speak with thee,
Ronan does not let me trust thee;
'tis he who has put me in a sorry plight.

I made the luckless cast

from the midst of the battle at Ronan ;

it pierced the precious bell

which was on the cleric's breast.

As I hurled the splendid cast
from the midst of the battle at Ronan,
said the fair cleric : ' Thou hast leave
to go with the birds.'

44 BUILE SUIBHNE

Iarsin rolinges-[s]a súas
isin séér eadarbhúas,
ní rolinges o 'tú1 beó
aeinleim badh hettromó.

Da madh isin maidin muaidh,
isin Mairt a haithle an Lúain,
nochar úallcha neach anu2
a leith re hóglách m' aosu.

As iongnadh lem inní atchiú,

a fhir rodhealbh an lá aniu,

cez'rt na caillighi ar an clár,

dá súil lúatha Loingsecháin.' A.

30 ' As trúagh an mheabail rob áil duit do dhénamh
orm-sa, a Loingsecháin/ ar sé ' 7 na bí ag mo t[h]oc[h]rádh
ni as sía, acht eirg dot thoigh 7 raghat-sa róm1 gonige an
baile itá Eorann.

31 As amhlaidh éimh robhúi Eorann an tan sin ar ffeis
le Guaire mac Congail mic Sgannláin, ar rob i Eorann fa
ben do Suibhne, uair robhattar dá bhrathair isin tir 7
ba comhdhúthaigh dhoibh an righe rofagazb/i Suibhne .i.
Guaire mac Congail, mic Sgannnláin, 7 Eochaidh mac
Condlo,1 mic Sgannláin. Rosiacht tra Suibne gonige an
baile inala raibhe Eorann. Dodheachaidh Gúaire do seilg an
lá sin 7 ba si conair dochúaidh co muinchinn Sleibe Fuaid2
7 im Sgirig Chinn Ghlinne 7 im Ettan Tairb. As ann robaoi3
a longport im Glenn Bolcáin risa raiter Glenn Chiach aniu
i machaire chineoil Ainmirech. Deisidh iarumh an gheilt
for fordhorus na boithe i raibhe Eorann, conadh ann itbert :
' An cumhain let a ingen,' ar sé, ' an grádh romor dorad
each uainn dá chéle an ionbaidh robhámar imarabn ? Agus

29—1 taoi K 2 aniu K
30—1 u?n. K

31 — 1 conáo K ia iK 2 sWK. om. B, but there is a blank space

following sleibe. 3 sic K ; roúi (?) B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 45

Thereafter I sprang up
into the air above ;
in life I have never leaped
a single leap that was lighter.

Were it in the glorious morning,
on the Tuesday following the Monday,
none would be prouder than I am
by the side of a warrior of my folk.

A marvel to me is that which I see,
O Thou that hast shaped this day ;
the woman's garment on the floor,
two piercing 1 eyes of Loingseachan.'

30 • Sad is the disgrace you would fain put upon me,
Loingseachan/ said he ; ' and do not continue annoying me
further, but go to your house and I will go on to where
Eorann is.'

31 Now, Eorann at the time was dwelling with Guaire,
son of Congal, son of Scannlan, for it was Eorann who was
Suibhne's wife, for there were two kinsmen in the country,
and they had equal title to the sovereignty which Suibhne
had abandoned, viz.: Guaire, son of Congal, son of Scannlan,
and Eochaidh, son of Condlo, son of Scannlan. Suibhne
proceeded to the place in which Eorann was. Guaire had
gone to the chase that day, and the route he took was to the
pass of Sliabh Fuaid and by Sgirig Cinn Glinne and Ettan
Tairbh. His camp was beside Glen Bolcain — which is
called Glenn Chiach to-day — in the plain of Cinel Ainmirech.
Then the madman sat down upon the lintel of the hut in
which Eorann was, whereupon he said : ' Do you remember,
lady, the great love we gave to each other what time
we were together? Easy and pleasant it is for you now,

29—1 lit. 'swift', perhaps 'furtive'.

46

BUILE SUIBHNE

is suanach sadail duit-si,' ar sé, ' 7 ni headh dhamh-sa
conadh an adbert Suibhne 7 rofhregair Eorann é : [86bj

32 [Suibhne:] ' Súanach sin, a Eorann an,
i leith leaptha red lennán,
ni hionann is misi ibhus,
cian o atu-sa ar anbfhorus.

Roraidhis, a Eorann oil,
ait[h]esg 'áXainn iméttrom
co na beithea it bheathaidh dhe
sgaradh énla re Suibhne.

Aniu is suaithnzV//z co prab,
beg let brigh do sencharad,
te duit ar chluimh cholcaidh cain,
uar damh-sa amuigh co madain.

[Eorann :] As mochen duit, a gheilt ghlan,
tii is tocha d' feruibh talman,
gidh súanach is suaill mo chli
on la itcuala tu1 ar neimhni.2

[Suibhne:] As tocha let mac in righ,

berius* tú d ol gan imsniomh,
as é do thochmarc togha,
ni iarr sibh bhar senchara.

[Eorann:] Ce nomberai/// mac an righ

do t[h]oig*M oil gan imsniomh,
ferr liom feis i ccuas cháol chromn
let, a Uiir, dia notcaomhsoinn.

Da ttuctha mo rogha dhamh
d' feruibh Eirenn is Alban,
ferr lem it c\\omaiiA gan chol
ar uis^e aw/s ar bhiorar.

32— 1 otchuala thu K

2 neim/j.s/mi B

3 beiius K 4 cum""" K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHXE

47

but not so for me ; ' whereupon Suibhne said, and Eorann
answered him (as follows) :

32 Suibhne : ' At ease art thou, bright Eorann,
at the bedside with thy lover ;
not so with me here,
long have I been restless.

Once thou didst utter, O great Eorann,
a saying pleasing and light,
that thou wouldst not survive
parted one day from Suibhne.

To-day, it is readily manifest,

thou thinkest little of thy old friend ;

warm for thee on the down of a pleasant bed,

cold for me abroad till morn.

Eorann : Welcome to thee, thou guileless mad one !

thou art most welcome of the men of the earth
though at ease am I, my body is wasted
since the day I heard of thy ruin.

Suibhne : More welcome to thee is the king's son
who takes thee to feast without sorrow ;
he is thy chosen wooer ;
you seek not your old friend.

Eorann : Though the king's son were to lead me
to blithe banqueting-halls,
I had liefer sleep in a tree's narrow hollow
beside thee, my husband, could I do so.

If my choice were given me
of the men of Erin and Alba,
I had liefer bide sinless with thee
on water and on watercress.

48

BUILE SUIBHNE

[Suibhne:] Ni conair do5 deg/imhnkoi dhil,
Suibhne sunn ar sliocht imnidh
fuar mo leaptha ag Ard Abhla,
nidot6 terctha7 m' fhúaradhbha

Córa duit sere agiis gradh
don fhior'gá táoi th'sénaran
ina do gheilt ghairbh ghortaigh
udithaigh, omhnaigh, urnochtaigh.

[Eorann:] Monúar amh, a gheilt ghniomhach,
do ueth eitU'g/i imsniomhach,
saoth lem do chnes rochlói dath,
dreasa is droighin gut8 rébadh.

[Suibhne:] Ni da chairiug/iadk dhamh ort,
a mháothaind^r mháothéttrocht,
Crist mac Muire, mor da cacht,
é domrad a n-éccomhnart.

[Eorann:] Robadh maith lem ar mbeth araen
co ttigeadk clumh ar ar ttaobh,
co sirfinn soirchi is doirchi
let gach la is gach énoidhche.

[Suibhne:] Adazgk dhamh-sa a mBoirchi bhinn,
ran<zc Túath Inbhir aloinn,
rosirius Magh Fail co fraigh,
tairlius do Cill Ui Súantfz>//.' S.

33 Ni thairnic dhó acht sin do radh an uair rolion1 an
slúagh an longp/z^rt as gach aird. Téid-siumh. iarumh ina reim
romhadhma for teichedh amail ba2 minic leis. Ni roan-somh
don reim sin co rainic ria n-oidhchi co Ros mBeraigh .i. an
c^V-cill ag ar oiris a haithle catha Muighe Rath 7 dochóidh
isin iobar robhuidh3 isin chill. Muireadach mac Earca daw,

32—5 sic K 5 dho B 6 nidat K 7 terca K SIC leS-
33 — 1 sic K; dolion B 2 sic K ; o?n. B 3 robhaoi K

dotK

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE

49

Suibhne : No path for a beloved lady

is that of Suibhne here on the track of care ;
cold are my beds at Ard Abhla,
my cold dwellings are not few.

More meet for thee to bestow love and affection
on the man with whom thou art alone
than on an uncouth and famished madman,
horrible, fearful, stark-naked.

Eorann : O toiling madman, 'tis my grief

that thou art uncomely and dejected ;
I sorrow that thy skin has lost its colour,
briars and thorns rending thee.

Suibhne : I blame thee not for it,

thou gentle, radiant woman ;

Christ, Son of Mary — great bondage —

He has caused my feebleness.

Eorann : I would fain that we were together,

and that feathers might grow on our bodies j1
in light and darkness I would wander
with thee each day and night.

Suibhne : One night I was in pleasant Boirche,
I have reached lovely Tuath Inbhir,
I have wandered throughout Magh Fail,
I have happened on Cell Ui Suanaigh.'

33 No sooner had he finished than the army swarmed
into the camp from every quarter, whereupon he set off in
his headlong flight, as he had often done. He halted not in
his career until before the fall of night he arrived at Ros
Bearaigh — the first church at which he tarried after the
battle of Magh Rath — and he went into the yew-tree which
was in the church.

32—1 i.e. that they might become birds.
E

50 BUILE SUIBHNE

as e ba hairchinneach isin cill an tan sin. Dorala iarum ben
an oirchinnigh ag gabdil secha4 an iubkar co bfaaz5 an gheilt
ann 7 tuc aithne fair guruó é Suibhne robhúi ann, co n-ébert si
fris : ' Táir asin iub/iar, a rí Dhál Araidhe,' ar si, ' ata baeghal
áonmhná sunna agad.' Do ghabdz/ na geilti 7 dá brégadh
7 cealgtfd/z atrubhairt si ind sin. ' Nocha ragha eimh/ ar
Suibhne, ' ar nachamtáir Loingseachán 7 a bhen, ar robhui
tan ba husa dhuit aithni form-sa inás aniú'; conadhann atbert
na runna sa sios ann :

34 ' A bhen dobheir1 aithne2 form
do rennuibh do rosg roghorm,
robhúi tan ba ferr mo gné
i n-airecht Dal Araidhé.

Roch\íiochaig/ies dealbh is dath
on uair tanag asin chath,
robo misi an Suibhne seng
atchualadar fir Eireand.

Bi-si gut fhior is gut thoigh,

nocha biu-sa a Ros mBeraigh,

ni chomhracfem go bráth mbán,

misi agus tusa, a bhenaccan.' A bhen.

35 Doluidh-siomh iarumh asin iubhar co hettrom aeerdha
7 tóet roimhe co rainic isin mbile ag Ros Earcáin, úair
dobhadar tri dúnáruis aigi-siumh ina cdechtad/i comnazd/ie
do dhenamh ina thir feisin .i. Teach mic Ninnedha 7 Cluain
Creamha 7 Ros Earcáin. Robháoi-siumh iarum co cenn
cáocáoisi ar mhis isin iub^r sin gan airiughudh, co frith ann
a ionadh 7 a adhbha [87a] fo dheóidh, co ndernadh comairle
ag maithibh Dhál Araidhe cia dorachadh da gab^V/ co
//derb^rtatar uili ba hé Loingseachán robadh cóir do chur1

33—4 seach K 5 bfac^ B

34 — 1 sic K ; na bervi/ B 2 aithgni K

35—1 dulK

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 51

Muireadach mac Earca was erenach of the church at the
time, and his wife happened to be going past the yew when
she saw the madman in it ; she recognized that it was
Suibhne was there and said to him : ' Come out of the yew,
king of Dal Araidhe ; there is but one woman before you
here.' She said so in order to seize the madman, and to
deceive and beguile him. ' I will not go indeed,' said
Suibhne, ' lest Loingseachan and his wife come to me, for
there was a time when it would have been easier for you
to recognize me than it is to-day' ; whereupon he uttered
these staves :

34 ' O woman, who dost recognize me

with the points of thy blue eyes,

there was a time when my aspect was better

in the assembly of Dal Araidhe.

I have changed in shape and hue
since the hour I came out of the battle ;
I was the slender Suibhne
of whom the men of Erin had heard.

Bide thou with thy husband and in thy house,
I shall not tarry in Ros Bearaigh ;
until holy Judgment we shall not foregather,
I and thou, O woman.'

35 He emerged then from the tree lightly and nimbly,
and went on his way until he reached the old tree at Ros
Earcain. (For he had three dwellings in his own country in
which he was wont to reside, viz.: Teach mic Ninnedha,
Cluain Creamha, and Ros Earcain). Thereafter for a fortnight
and a month he tarried in the yew-tree without being perceived ;
but at length his place and dwelling were discovered, and the
nobles of Dal Araidhe took counsel as to who should go to
seize him. Everyone said that it was Loingseachan who

E2

52 BUILE SUIBHNE

ann. Rogab Loingseachan immorro do laimh teacht frisin
toisg sin 7 luidh roimhe co ttainic dochum an xubkair ina
mbáoi Suibhne, conusfacaidh2 an gbeilt ar an ccráoibh úasa.
' Truagh sin, a Suibhne/ ar sé, ' conadh é th'íerdraig/ie
bheith amhlaidh sin gan bhiadh, gan digh, gan edach amail
gach n-ethaid n-seerdha, ier mbeith a n-éttaigMbh sroldae3
siregdha ar eacha/M ana4 allmurdha co srianaibh soinemhla
dhuit, 7 mná málla maisecha let 7 iomad macaomh 7 miolchon
7 degháos gacha dana, iomad slúagh, iomdha iolarrdha
d'unW/zuibh 7 do tháoisechuibh 7 d'óigthighernaidhibh, do
brughadhuibh 7 do bhiatachaibh dot réir. Iomad cuach 7
copán 7 benn mbreacegair mbúabhaill im lennuibh somblasda
so-ola let bhéos. Dursan duit bheith fon ionnus sin amail
gach n-en ttruag5 ttarimtheachtach ó dhithribh do dhithribh.'
' Leig as a le, a Loingseacháin/ ar Suibhne, 'as edh sin robhui
i ttoici dhuinn, 7 in bfhuilid sgéla mo thiri leat-sa dhamh ? '
' Atád eimh,6' ar Loingseachan, ' anuair7 roég th'athair.'
' Domgaibh dom fhormad/i on,' ar sé. ' Do mat hair dona
dh' ég/ ar an giolla. ( Rohan^^ dom oirchisecht a ufecht sa/
ar se. ' Marbh do bráthair/ ar Loingseachan. 'Toll mo thaobh
don leith sin/ ar Suibhne. 'Marbh th' ingen/ ar Loingseachan.
' Sn<ithad c^^oidhe d&no zimngenj ar Suibhne. ' Marbh do
mac atbeiredk a phopa friot/ ar Loingseachan. ' Fior
ón/ ar sé, 'as é sin an banna dobheir an fer co lár';
conadh ann atbertsat an laoidh etarra .i. Loingseachan 7
Suibhne :

36 [Loingseachan:] 'A Suibhne1 a Sleibh na nEach n-ard,
robsat fuileach faobharghargc,
ar Chriost rodchuir a ccarcra
dámh comhradh red chomhalta.

34—2 sic B ; -faca K 3 sioldaibh K 4 anaibh K 5 ttairisi (?)

add. B 6 ale add. K 7 uair K
36—1 Suibhniu K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 53

should be sent. Loingseachan undertook the task, and he
went along until he came to the yew in which Suibhne was,
whereupon he beheld the madman on the branch above him.
' Sad is it, Suibhne,' said he, ' that your last plight should be
thus, without food, without drink, without raiment, like any
bird of the air, after having been in garments of silk and satin
on splendid steeds from foreign lands with matchless bridles ;
with you were women gentle and comely, likewise many
youths and hounds and goodly folk of every art ; many hosts,
many and diverse nobles and chiefs, and young lords, and
landholders and hospitallers were at your command. Many
cups and goblets and carved buffalo horns for pleasant-
flavoured and enjoyable liquors were yours also. Sad is it for
you to be in that wise like unto any miserable bird going
from wilderness to wilderness.' ' Cease now, Loingseachan,'
said Suibhne ; ' that is what was destined for us ; but
have you tidings for me of my country ? ' 'I have in
sooth/ said Loingseachan, ' for your father is dead.' ' That
has seized me . . .', said he. ' Your mother is also dead,' said
the young man. ' Now all pity for me is at an end,' said
he. ' Dead is your brother,' said Loingseachan. ' Gaping is
my side on that account,' said Suibhne. ' Dead is your
daughter,' said Loingseachan. ' The heart's needle is an only
daughter,' said Suibhne. ' Dead is your son who used to
call you ' daddy ',' said Loingseachan. ' True,' said he, ' that
is the drop (?) which brings a man to the ground ;' where-
upon they, even Loingseachan and Suibhne, uttered this lay
between them:

36 Loingseachan: 'O Suibhne from lofty Sliabh na nEach,
thou of the rough blade wert given to

wounding ;
for Christ's sake, who hath put thee in

bondage,
grant converse with thy foster-brother.

54

[Suibhne :]

[Loingseachán:]

BUILE SUIBHNE

Eíst rium-sa ma romc[h]luini,
a ri ran, a righ-ruire,
co n-innisinn tre mhine
sgéla dhuit do dheighthire.

Ni marthain at thir tar th'eis,

as dó tánag2 da aisneis,

marbh do bhrathair ann co mb\aidhy

marbh th'athair is do mhathair.

Mása mharbh mo mháthair mhin
deacraidi damh dol dom thir,
cían o rochair si mo chorp
roscair si friom oirchisecht.

Baoth comairle gach mic mhir
ag nach mairid a sinnsir,
amail as crom c/'aobh fo chnoibh,
toll taobh o bheith gan bhrathair.

Ata urbazd/i* oile ann

cáoint^r ag feruibh Eireann

cidh garbh do thaobh is do throigh,

marbh do bhen chaomh dot chumazd/z.

[Suibhne :] Tigedhus do bheith gan mnáoi,

as iomramh luinge gan láoi,
as cadad/z cluimhe re cnes,
as adudh re hénoires.4

[Loingseachán:] Atchúala sgél n-uathmar n-ard
ima raibhe gul glégharg,
as dorn im5 dhíaidh cia bé dhe,
atáoi gan tsiair, a Suibhne.

36 — 2 thanag K 3 urbaidhe K 4 haenaires K

naK

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 55

Hearken to me if thou hearest me,
0 splendid king, 0 great prince,
so that I may relate gently
to thee tidings of thy good land.

There is life for none in thy land after thee ;
it is to tell of it that I have come ;
dead is thy renowned brother there,
dead thy father and thy mother.

Suibhne: If my gentle mother be dead,

harder is it for me to go to my land ;
'tis long since she has loved my body ;
she has ceased to pity me.

Foolish the counsel of each wild youth
whose elders live not ;
like unto a branch bowed under nuts ;
whoso is brotherless has a gaping side.

Loingseachan: There is another calamity there

which is bewailed by the men of Erin,
though uncouth be thy side and thy foot,
dead is thy fair wife of grief for thee.

Suibhne: For a household to be without a wife

is rowing a rudderless boat,
'tis a garb of feathers to the skin,
'tis kindling a single fire.

Loingseachan : I have heard a fearful and loud tale
around which was a clear, fierce wail,
'tis a fist round smoke, however,
thou art without sister, O Suibhne.

56

BUILE SUIBHNE

[Suibhne :] Seinbhriathar so, serb an snomh,6

nocha lium-sa as airfidiudh,7
anazd/i grian chiúin in gach cladh,
Cdsaidh siur cen co ccarthar.

[Loingseachán :] Nocha legar laoigh co búaibh
agoinn i nAruidhe uair,
os marbh th'ingen chaomh rodc[h]ar
maráon is mac do8 seathar.

[Suibhne :]

[Loingseachán :]

[Suibhne :]

Mac mo sethar is mo chú,
nocham ttreigfittís ar bhú,
as táthacht9 uilc re himnedh,
snáthad c/^oidhe éninghen.

Ata sgél eile co mbloid/i,

as leasg lem a innisin,

fir Aradh go ngaoineimh10 nglic

atád ag cáoineadh th enmhic. [87 b]

As e sin an banna11 co mbloidh
dobkezr an fer co talmain,
mac beg adbered/i popa1"
do ueith oga gan anmaz'n.

Romfrithail chugad don chraoibh,
súaill nacha nderna anmáoin,13
nocha nfuil[n]ghimu thúas don beirt
o rochuala tásg mh'13 éinmhic.

[Loingseachán :] O doriachtais, a laoich lain,
eidir di láimh Loingseacháin
mairidh do mhuintir uile
a UalG Eachac/t Sálbhuidhe.

36 — ó an snomh B ; asnomh altered later to asniomh K 7 airfidedh B ;

n^ airfithiodl) K 8 sic K ; mo B 9 táthacht B ; tathacht K, an leg.

táthad? 10 ngaoineimh altered later to ngaoineamh K 11 ase

sin bannae K 12 popae K; papa B 13 nacham derna annmein K

14 nfuilingim K 15 í/í K ; om. B 16 sic K; uadh B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE

57

Suibhne : A proverb this, bitter the ... —

it has no delight for me —
the mild sun rests on every ditch,
a sister loves though she be not loved.

Loingseachan: Calves are not let to cows
amongst us in cold Araidhe
since thy gentle daughter, who has loved thee

died,
likewise thy sister's son.

Suibhne

My sister's son and my hound,

they would not forsake me for wealth,

'tis adding loss to sorrow ;

the heart's needle is an only daughter.

Loingseachan: There is another famous story —
loth am Í to tell it—
meetly2 are the men of the Arada
bewailing thy only son.

Suibhne : That is the renowned drop (?)

which brings a man to the ground,3

that his little son who used to say 'daddy '

should be without life.

It has called me to thee from the tree,
scarce have I caused enmity,
I cannot bear up against the blow
since I heard the tidings of my only son.

Loingseachan: Since thou hast come, O splendid warrior,
within Loingseachan's hands,
all thy folk are alive,
O scion of Eochu Salbuidhe.

36 — i lit. 'kine.' 2 lit. ' with clever fancy ' (?)

3 see p. 52 1. 24 and Notes.

58 BUILE SUIBHNE

Bi it tocht, tigeadh do chiall,
thoir ata do theach is ni thiar,
fada od thir tangais a lie,
as é so a fhior, a Suibhne.

Aoibhne leat eitir dhamaibh
i feadhuibh i fidbhadhaibh,
ina codladh it dhún thoir,
ar c[h]luimh17 7 ar cholcaidh.

Ferr let bheth ar chrabibh chuilinn
i ttaoibh linni an lúathmhuilinn
ina bheith a ngrinne ghlan,
is gille óga it fharradh.

Da ccodailteá i ccvgibh cnoc

re tédaibh mine mennchrot,

binni leat fo bharr doiri

cronán dhaimh dhuinn18 dhamhghoiri.

At lúaithe na19 gaoth tar glenn,

as tú éingheilt na hEirenn,

glédon^ th' aobh,20 tasci a lie,

bat21 ségonn22 saor, a Suibhne.' A.S.

37 Atróc/taz'r eimh Suibhni asin \wbhar o rochuala tasg a
éinmhic, gur ro-iadh Loingseachán a dhá láimh thairis 7
rochuir cuibhreach fora lámhaibh. Ro-innis dó iaromh a
muinter do mharthain uile 7 rug leis é gusin ionadh i
rabhadar maithe Dhál Araidhe. Tucaid do/201 glais 7

36 — 17 chlum K 18 om. K 19 luaithi ina K 20 gledonn do

tliaob K 21 sic K ; b^ B 22 ség^uinn B ; segonn K

37—1 om. K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 59

Be still, let thy sense come,
in the east is thy house, not in the west,
far from thy land thou hast come hither,
this is the truth, O Suibhne.

More delightful deemest thou to be amongst deer

in woods and forests

than sleeping in thy stronghold in the east

on a bed of down.

Better deemest thou to be on a holly-branch
beside the swift mill's pond
than to be in choice company
with young fellows about thee.

If thou wert to sleep in the bosom of hills

to the soft strings of lutes,

more sweet wouldst thou deem under the oak-wood

the belling of the brown stag of the herd.

Thou art fleeter than the wind across the valley,
thou art the famous madman of Erin,
brilliant in thy beauty, come hither,
O Suibhne, thou wast a noble champion.'

37 When Suibhne heard tidings of his only son, he fell
from the yew, whereupon Loingseachan closed his arms around
him and put manacles on him. He then told him that all his
people lived ; and he took him to the place in which the nobles
of Dal Araidhe were. They brought with them locks and fetters

60 BUILE SUIBHNE

gebhenna eaturra* aca-somh faoi Suibhne2 7 roherbad/z. do
Loingseachan a breith leis co cenn caocaoisi ar mhis. Ruc-
sumh iarum Suibhne leis 7 robhadar maithe an chulgedk
chuigi 7 úadha frisin re sin. Tainic trá a chiall 7 a chuimhne
dhó a ffoircenn na ree sin. Tainic bheos a chruth 7 a
dhealbh budhdhein dó. Robhenaid a chuibhrighe de 7
rosamhlaidh<?<f//2a [a righe]3 fris. Tainic ionbaidh fhoghamhair
ann fáoi sin 7 luidh Loingseachan cona muinter [do bhuain]3
la n-ann. Kocuzredk eision a ttuilg Loingseacháin iar mbéin
a glais de 7 ar ttecht a cheille dhó. Rohiadhadk an tuilg
fair 7 nior ikgbadk neach ina fharradh acht an4 chailleach
namá .i. cailleach an mhuilinn 7 rohaithnidhedh dhi gan
comhra^ do soighin ar Suibhne. Ara áoi sin rosoigh si cóir
chomhraz'd/z air-siomh co rofhiafraigh ní dia imthechtuibh
dhe oiread robhaoi ar gealtacht. ' Mallacht for do bhél, a
chailW/z, ar Suibhne, ' as olc a n-abra,6 ni léigfi Dia mo
bheith-si for gealtacht doridhisi.' ' Maith a fios agum-sa,' ar
an c[h]ailleach, ' gurab é sárugudh Rónáin fodera duit dul for
gealtacht.' ' A bhen,' ar sé, ' is granna duit beth gom brath
7 gom biatkadk.' ' Nocha brat[h] edir/ ar si, ' acht firinne ' ;
7 adubairt Suibhne :

38 [Suibhne:] ' A cha.iUec/11 an mhuilinn thall,

cid duit mo chor ar imrall ?
nach meabhail deit tre bháiglr mban
mo brath agus mo biathadh ?

[An chailleach :] Nocha misi dobhraith thu,3

a Suiune, cidh caomh do chlú,
acht ferta Ronain do nimh
rolá it gheilt eidir ghealtuibh.

37 — 2 om. K 2a rosamlv*/ K 3 sic K ; om. B 4 en K
38—1 chailliuch K 2 sic K ; bháidh B 3 robhraith tu K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 61

to put on Suibhne, and he was entrusted to Loingseachan to
take him with him for a fortnight and a month. He took
Suibhne away, and the nobles of the province were coming
and going during that time; and at the end of it his sense
and memory came to him, likewise his own shape and guise.
They took his bonds off him, and his kingship was manifest.1
Harvest-time came then, and one day Loingseachan went
with his people to reap. Suibhne was put in Loingseachan's
bed-room after his bonds were taken off him, and his sense
had come back to him. The bed -room was shut on him and
nobody was left with him but the mill-hag, and she was
enjoined not to attempt to speak to him. Nevertheless she
spoke to him, asking him to tell some of his adventures while
he was in a state of madness. ' A curse on your mouth, hag ! '
said Suibhne ; ' ill is what you say ; God will not suffer me to
go mad again.' ' I know well,' said the hag, ' that it was
the outrage done to Ronan that drove you to madness.'
' O woman,' said he, 'it is hateful that you should be betraying
and luring me.' ' It is not betrayal at all but truth '; and
Suibhne said :

38 Suibhne : ' O hag of yonder mill,

why shouldst thou set me astray ?

is it not deceitful of thee that, through

women,
I should be betrayed and lured ?

The hag : 'Tis not I who betrayed thee,

O Suibhne, though fair thy fame,
but the miracles of Ronan from Heaven
which drove thee to madness among mad-
men.

37 — i lit. ' his kingship was likened to him.' (?)

62 BUILE SUIBHNE

[Suibhne :] Da madh misi is go madh mé
badh righ ar Dhál Araidhé,
robudh mana duirn tar smech,4
nochatfia cuirm, a chaitteck.'5 A chaillech.

39 A cha\\\echj ar sé, ' is mor do dheacraibh fuarus-sa dá
ufestá-sa é, mor leim ndoiligh rolinges-[s]a o gach diongna 7

0 gach dionn, o gach fuithir 7 o gach fáinghlenn di aroile.'

1 Ar Dia friot/ ar an chaillech, ' ling duinn leim dona
leimennuibh sin anois rolingthea it ghealtacht/ Rolincc-
siomh iarumh leim tar colbha na tuilgi co rainic cenn
•na hairidhni sios. ' Mo chubhuis éimh/ ar an chaillech,
' rolingfinn-si féin an léim sin.' Roling si ón fón ccuma
cedna.1 [88 a] Roling-siomh leim eile dar forles na bruighniu
amach. ' Rolin[g]finn-si dono sin/ ar an chaillech, 7 roling
ío cedóir. Acht chena ba sedh a chumair. Rosir Suibhne
cuig triocha ched Dhal Araidhe roimpe an lá sin co rainic
Glenn na nEachtach i Fidh Gaibhle 7 rolen si é frisin ré sin.
O rothairis Suibhne ar barr cr^oibhe urairde eidhn^/ze
annsin, rothairis an chaillech ar crann eile ina fharradh ; a
nderedh an fhoghamhair do sunnradh ind sin, conadh ann
atchuala Suibhne gair sealga na sochatdhc ind-imeal an
fheadha. ' Gair morhluaig so/ ar sé, ' 7 as iad Ui Faeláin
failet ann ag techt dom mharbadh-sa a ndioghail Oiliolla
Cédaigh .i. righ Ua bFseláin romharbhus-[s]a i ccath Muighe
Rath.' A\.c\\\x3.\aidh-s'\ovc\h. buirh/d/i an doimh alia, 7 dorinni
an laoidh 7 tuc testmolta2 crann Eirenn ós aird innte 7
ag foraithmheadh araill dia dheacruibh 7 dia imsniomh
budhdhéin ; go ndébairt annso :

40 ' A bhennáin, a bhuir^dháin,
a bhéiceadháin bintt,
is binn linn an cuichei^n
do[g]ni tú 'san ghlintt.

38 — 4 sic K; smeich B 5 chailliuch K

39—1 The following note occurs here in B : — < Ar mo Dhia go mbrister cosa
na caillighe '; ' by my God, may the hag's feet be broken.' 2 tesmholta K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 63

Suibhne : Were it myself, and would it were I,
that were king of Dal Araidhe
it were a reason for a blow across a chin ;
thou shalt not have a feast, O hag.'

39 ' O hag,' said he, ' great are the hardships I have
encountered if you but knew ; many a dreadful leap have
I leaped from hill to hill, from fortress to fortress, from
land to land, from valley to valley.' ' For God's sake,' said
the hag, ' leap for us now one of the leaps you used to leap
when you were mad.' Thereupon he bounded over the
bed-rail so that he reached the end of the bench. ' My
conscience !' said the hag, ' I could leap that myself/ and in
the same manner she did so. He took another leap out
through the skylight of the hostel. ' I could leap that too,'
said the hag, and straightway she leaped. This, however, is
a summary of it : Suibhne travelled through five cantreds
of Dal Araidhe that day until he arrived at Glenn na
nEachtach in Fiodh Gaibhle, and she followed him all that
time. When Suibhne rested there on the summit of a tall
ivy-branch, the hag rested on another tree beside him. it was
then the end of harvest-time precisely. Thereupon Suibhne
heard a hunting-call of a multitude in the verge of the wood.
* This/ said he, ' is the cry of a great host, and they are the
Ui Faelain coming to kill me to avenge Oilill Cedach,
king of the Ui Faelain, whom I slew in the battle of Magh
Rath.' He heard the bellowing of the stag, and he made a
lay wherein he eulogized aloud the trees of Ireland, and,
recalling some of his own hardships and sorrows, he
said :

40 ' O little stag, thou little bleating one,
O melodious little clamourer,
sweet to us is the music
thou makest in the glen.

64 BUILE SUIBHNE

Eolchaire mo mhendatain
dorala ar mo chéill,
na lois isin machaire,
na hois isin tsléibh.

A dhair dhosach dhuill^///ach,
at ard os cionn croinn ;
a c[h]olláin, a chraobhach^V/z,
a chomhra cnó cuill.

A fhern, nidot naimhdidhe,
as aloinn do li,
nidat cuma sceó sceanb^zV^i
ar an mbeirn a mbi.

A d//roighnein, a dhealgn^^áin.
a áirneacháin duibh,
a bhiorair, a bharrghlasáin,
do bhm thobair luin.

A mhinen1 na conaire
at millsi gach luibh,
a ghlasáin, a adhghlasáin,
a lus forsa mbi in t-suibh.

A abhall, a abhlachóg,
tren rotc^r^ithenn each,
a chaerthainn, a chaeirecháin,
as aloinn do bhláth.

A dhriseog, a dhruimnechog,
ni damha cert cuir,
ni ana gum leadradh-sa
gzirsat lomlán d'fuil.

40 — i mhínén K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 65

Longing for my little home
has come on my senses —
the flocks in the plain,
the deer on the mountain.

Thou oak, bushy, leafy,
thou art high beyond trees ;
O hazlet, little branching one,
O fragrance of hazel-nuts.

O alder, thou art not hostile,
delightful is thy hue,
thou art not rending and prickling
in the gap wherein thou art.

O little blackthorn, little thorny one ;
O little black sloe-tree ;
O watercress, little green-topped one,
from the brink of the ousel (?) spring.

O minen of the pathway,

thou art sweet beyond herbs,

O little green one,1 very green one,

O herb on which grows the strawberry.

O apple-tree, little apple-tree,
much art thou shaken ;
O quicken, little berried one,
delightful is thy bloom.

O briar, little arched one,
thou grantest no fair terms,
thou ceasest not to tear me,
till thou hast thy fill of blood.

40 — i Perhaps glasdn is the name of a plant; see Dinneen, 'watercress,
salad, oyster-grass.'

F

66 BUILE SUIBHNE

A iubhair, a iubhracháin,
i rei[l]gibh2 bat reil,
a eidhinn, a eidhneacháin,
at gnáth a ccoill cheir.

A chuilinn, a chlithmharáin,
a c[h]omhla re gáoith,
a uinnes, a urbhadach,
a arm lámha láoich.

A bheithi blaith bennachtach,
a bhorrfadaigh bhinn,
aluinn gach craobh cengailteach
i mullach do chinn.

Crithac/i ara criothugudk,
atchluinim ma seach
a duille for riothug^^,
dar learn as í an chreach.

Mo mhioscais i fidhbadhuibh,
ni cheilim ar chách,
gamhnach dharach d&zlleadhach
ar siub#/ go gnáth.

As olc sen ar mhilles-[s]a
oineach Rónáin Fhinn,
a fherta rombuaidhretar,
a chlogáin on chill.

As olc sen a fuarus-sa
earradh Conghazl choir,
a ionar caomh cumhdachtghkw
co ccorthartfz'^/z óir.

40—2 reikcib K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 67

O yew-tree, little yew-tree,

in churchyards thou art conspicuous ;

O ivy, little ivy,

thou art familiar in the dusky wood.

O holly, little sheltering one,
thou door against the wind ;
O ash-tree, thou baleful one,
hand-weapon of a warrior.

0 birch, smooth and blessed,
thou melodious, proud one,
delightful each entwining branch
in the top of thy crown.

The aspen a-trembling ;
by turns I hear
its leaves a-racing —
meseems 'tis the foray !

My aversion in woods —

1 conceal it not from anyone-
is the leafy stirk of an oak
swaying evermore. (?)

Ill-hap by which I outraged
the honour of Ronan Finn,
his miracles have troubled me,
his little bells from the church.

Ill-omened I found
the armour of upright Congai,
his sheltering, bright tunic
with selvages of gold.
F 2

68 BUILE SUIBHNE

Rob é guth gach aenduine
don t-slóg dhédla daith,
na tegh uaibh fan ccaelmhuine
fer an ionair mhaith.

Gonazdk, ma.rbaz'd/i, air\igz'd/z,
gabhaid uile a eill,3
cuirz'dk é, cidh lór do chion,
ar bior is ar beinn.4

Na marcaigh dom tharrachtain
dar Magh Cobha cru'mn,
ni roich tiaidhibh aenurc^^r
dhamh-sa dar mo dhrmm.

Ag dula dar eidhneachuibh,
ni cheilim, a láoich,
degurchar na gothnazde
dhamh-sa resan ngáoith.

A ellteóg, a luirgnechóg,
fuarus-[s]a do g/ireim,
misi ort ag marcaighecht
as gach beinn a mbeinn.

O Chárn Cornáin comhramhack
co beinn Siébhe Níadh,
o bheinn Slebhi Uillinne5
rigim Crota Cliach.

O Chrotaibh Cliach comhdhála

co Cam Lifthi Luirc

rigim re trath iarnóna

co Beinn Ghulbain ghuirt.

4 bhinn K 5 uillind/iMe K ; uislinne (?) B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 69

It was a saying of each one

of the valiant, active host :

1 Let not escape from you through the narrow copse

the man of the goodly tunic'

' Wound, kill, slaughter,
let all of you take advantage of him ;
put him, though it is great guilt,
on spit and on spike.'

The horsemen pursuing me
across round Magh Cobha,
no cast from them reaches
me through my back.

Going through the ivy-trees —
I conceal it not, O warrior —
like good cast of a spear
I went with the wind.

0 little fawn, O little long-legged one,

1 was able to catch thee
riding upon thee

from one peak to another.

From Cam Cornan of the contests
to the summit of Sliabh Niadh,
from the summit of Sliabh Uillinne
I reach Crota Cliach.

From Crota Cliach of assemblies
to Cam Liffi of Leinster,
I arrive before eventide
in bitter Benn Gulbain.

70 BUILE SUIBHNE

M'adhaigh6 ria ccath Conghailey
roba siorsan7 lem,
siu nobheinn for udmhaille
ag úxedh na mbenn.

Glenn mBolcáin mo bhithárus,
fior fuarus a greim,
mor n-oidhchi rofriothálus
rioth roit^rén re beinn.

Da sirinn am aonaidhe8
sléibhti domhain duinn,
ferr Horn ionadh aonboithe
i nGlionn Bolcain buirr.

Maith a uisci iodhanghlas,
maith a ghaoth ghlan gharg,
maith a bhiorar biorurglass,9
ferr a fhothlacht ard.

Maith a eidhnec/z iodhnai'd/ie,
maith a soil ghlan gnnn,
maith a iub/iar iubraidhe,
ferr a bheithe binnd.

Da ttiosta-sa, a Loingseacháin,
chugum in gach riocht,
gach n-oidhche dom agallaimh
bes ni anfainn friot.

Ni anfainn re t' agallaimh
munbadh sgél romgett,
athair, máthair, ingen, mhac,
bráthair, ben bale d'écc. [88 b]

40 — 6 adh^v mss 7 saorsan K 8 aonuidhe K 9 sic K

B has: maith a iobkar iubraighe, as in the third line of the following stanza.

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 71

My night before the battle of Congal,

I deemed it fortunate,

before I restlessly

wandered over the mountain-peaks.

Glen Bolcain, my constant abode,
'twas a boon to me,
many a night have I attempted
a stern race against the peak.

If I were to wander alone

the mountains of the brown world,

better would I deem the site of a single hut

in the Glen of mighty Bolcan.

Good its water pure-green,
good its clean, fierce wind,
good its cress-green watercress,
best its tall brooklime.

Good its enduring ivy-trees,
good its bright, cheerful sallow,
good its yewy yews,
best its melodious birch.

If thou shouldst come, O Loingseachan,

to me in every guise,

each night to talk to me,

perchance I would not tarry for thee.

I would not have tarried to speak to thee
were it not for the tale which has wounded me —
father, mother, daughter, son,
brother, strong wife dead.

72 BUILE SUIBHNE

Da ttistea dom agallaimh
ni budh fer[r]de learn,
rosirfinn ria madanra/^
sleibhti Boirchi benn.

Do mhuilenn an mheanmaráin
domheilte do thúaiih,
a thrúagháin, a thuirseacháin,
a Luingseacháin lúaith.

A chailleach an mhuilinn-si,
cidh 'mongeibhe mh' eill ?
mh' égnach duit itchluinim-si,
is tu amuigh ar an mbeinn.

A chailleach, a chuirrchennach,
an ragha for each ?
[An chailleach:] Noraghainn, a thuirrchennach,
munam faicinn neach.

Dá ndeachar, a Suibhneacháin,
rob soraidh mo léim.
[Suibhne :] Da ttora-sa, a chaillcheacháin,10a

ní ris sis slán céill.

[An chailleach :] Ni cóir éimh a n-abraidh-si,10
a mhic Colmáin Chais,
nach ferrdi mo mharcachus11
gan tuitim tar mh'ais ?

[Suibhne :] As cóir eimh a n-abraim-si,

a chailleach gan chéill,
demhan agat th'aidhmilhW^,
romillis12 fadhéin.

40— ioa sic B ; chailliuchain K 10 abra-si K 1 1 marcachsa K 1 2 rodmillib K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 73

If thou shouldst come to speak to me,

no better would I deem it ;

I would wander before morn

the mountains of Boirche of peaks.

By the mill of the little floury one (?)
thy folk has been ground, (?)
O wretched one, O weary one,
O swift Loingseachan.

0 hag of this mill,

why dost thou take advantage of me ?

1 hear thee revile me

even when thou art out on the mountain.

O hag, O round-headed one, (?)
wilt thou go on a steed ?'
The hag : ' I would go, O fool-head (?)
if no one were to see me.

O Suibhne, if I go,
may my leap be successful.'
Suibhne : ' If thou shouldst come, O hag,

mayst thou not dismount full of sense !' (?)

The hag : ' In sooth, not just is what thou sayest,
thou son of Colman Cas ;
is not my riding better
without falling back?'

Suibhne : ' Just, in sooth, is what I say,
O hag without sense ;
a demon is ruining thee,
thou hast ruined thyself.'

74 BUILE SUIBHNE

[An chailleach:] Nach ferrde let mh'ealadhain,
a ghelt saerrdha seng,
mo beth agat lenanw;?13
a mullaighibh nau mbenn ?

[Suibhne :] Dosán eidhinn iomuaMack

fasas tre chrann chas,
da mbeinn-si 'na certmhullack
noaghsainn techt ass.

Teichim riasna huiseóga,
as é an trenn'tfth tenn,
lingim tar na guiseóga
a mullaighibh benn.

Fer[a]n eidhinn iomuaUack
an tan eirghi^j- duinn,
goirid bhim da ttarrachtain
o rofas mo chluimh.

Creabhar osccar antuiccseach
an tan eirghius damh,
indar Horn as dergnamha
an Ion do[g]ni an sgal.15

Gach áonúair rolinginn-si
co mbinn ar an lár,
co fhaicinn an creamhthannán
thios16 ag creim na gcnámh.

Seach gach coin a n-aidhnechuibh
luath nogheibh^// m'eill,
as é luas nolinginn-si
co mbinn ar an mbeinn.

40 — 13 re anmhain K \\o?n.YL 15 sgál K ibsicK*;

om. B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 75

The hag : ' Dost thou not deem my arts better,
thou noble, slender madman,
that I should be following thee
from the tops of the mountains ?'

Suibhne : ' A proud ivy-bush

which grows through a twisted tree —
if I were right on its summit,
I would fear to come out.

I flee before the skylarks —
'tis a stern, great race —
I leap over the stumps
on the tops of the mountains.

When the proud turtle-dove
rises for us,

quickly do I overtake it
since my feathers have grown.

The silly, foolish woodcock

when it rises for me

methinks 'tis a bitter foe,

the blackbird (too) that gives the cry of alarm.

Every time I would bound
till I was on the ground
so that I might see the little fox
below a-gnawing the bones.

Beyond every wolf (?) among the ivy-trees
swiftly would he get the advantage of me,
so nimbly would I leap
till I was on the mountain-peak.

76 BUILE SUIBHNE

Sionnazg/i beca ag bregairecht
chugum agus úaim,
mic thiri ara leg<2z>echt (?),1Ga
teichim-si re a ffúaim.

Rothriallsat mo tharrachtain
ag tocht 'na rioth thenn,
gur teiches-[s]a reampa-somh
a mullaighibh beann.

Tainic friom mo thairmthechta
gibé conair théis,
as leir dhamh ar mh'a[i]rchisecht
am caora gan léis.

Bile Chille Lughaidhe
i tuilim súan sáimh,
ba haoibne i ré Chongaile
aenach17 Line lain.

Doraghae an reodh rea.\tknac/i
ferfas ar gach linn,
asam suairreach, seachránach,
misi fáoi ar an mbinn.

Na corra go ccorrghaire
i nGlionn Aighle uair,
ealta d enuibh18 iomluatha
chugum agus úaim.

Ni charaim an sibheanrad/i
do[g]niad fir is mna,
binne Horn a ceileabradh
luin 'san aird ittá.

40 — i6a legél B ; leges K, ? leg. ledairecht, which has been translated
17 sic K ; aena B 18 dena K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 77

Little foxes yelping
to me and from me,
wolves at their rending,
I flee at their sound.

They have striven to reach me,
coming in their swift course,
so that I fled before them
to the tops of the mountains.

My transgression has come against me
whatsoever way I flee ;
'tis manifest to me from the pity shown me
that I am a sheep without a fold.

The old tree of Cell Lughaidhe
wherein I sleep a sound sleep ;
more delightful in the time of Congal
was the fair of plenteous Line.

There will come the starry frost

which will fall on every pool;

I am wretched, straying

exposed to it on the mountain-peak.

The herons a-calling
in chilly Glenn Aighle,
swift flocks of birds
coming and going.

I love not the merry prattle

that men and women make :

sweeter to me is the warbling

of the blackbirds in the quarter in which it is.

78 BUILE SUIBHNE

Ni charaim in stocairecht
atcluinim go moch,
binne Hum a crocairecht19
bruic a mBennuibh Broc.

Ni charuim an chornairecht
atchluinim go tenn,
binni Hum ag damhghairecht
damh dá fhiched benn.

Ata adhbur seisr zg/ie
as gach glionn i nglenn,
gach damh ina freislighe
a mullach na mbenn.

Cidh iomdha dom dhamraid/i-si
as gach glinn i nglenn,
ni minic lámh oiremkan
ag dunadk a20 mbenn.

Damh Sléibhi aird Eibhlinne,
damh Sléibhe Fúaid feigh,
damh Ella, damh Orbhraidhe,
damh lonn Locha Léin.

Damh Seimhne, damh Latharna,
damh Line na lenn,
damh Cúailghni, damh Conachla.,
damh Bairni dá bhenn.

A mathair na groidhi-si
roli'dthad/i do lenn,
ni fhuil damh at dhea.gaid/i-si
gan dá fhichead benn.

40 — 19 ccrochairecht K 20 na K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE

I love not the trumpeting
I hear at early morn :
sweeter to me the squeal
of the badgers in Benna Broc.

I love not the horn-blowing

so boldly I hear :

sweeter to me the belling of a stag

of twice twenty peaks.

There is the material of a plough-team

from glen to glen :

each stag at rest

on the summit of the peaks.

Though many are my stags
from glen to glen,
not often is a ploughman's hand
closing round their horns. (?)

The stag of lofty Sliabh Eibhlinne,
the stag of sharp Sliabh Fuaid,
the stag of Ealla, the stag of Orrery,
the fierce stag of Loch Lein.

The stag of Seimhne, Larne's stag,

the stag of Line of the mantles,

the stag of Cuailgne, the stag of Conachail,

the stag of Bairenn of two peaks.

O mother of this herd,
thy coat has become grey,
there is no stag after thee
without two score antler-points.

80 BUILE SUIBHNE

Mó ná21 adhb/iur leinnine
roliathadk dot chenn,22
da mbeinn ar gach beinnine
beinnini ar gach mbenn.

A dhoimh do[g]ni an fogharán
chugum tar an nglenn,
maith an t-ionadh foradlw/ (?)
i mullach do bhenn.

As mé Suibhni sirtheachán,

luath reithim tar glenn,

nocha n-é mh'ainm dlz^theachán.

Tioprata is ferr fuarus-sa,
tiopra Leithzd Lain,
tiopra is aille ionnuaire,
úarán Dhúine Mail.

Gidhat iomdha mh'imeirce
mh'édach aniú is gerr,
me féin do[g]ní m'foHaire24
i mullach na mbend.

A raithnech, a ruadhfhada,

roru'ddhadk do lenn,

ni hosair fir fuag^rta

a r\gabh\ai&k do bhenn.25

Bidh ann bhias mo bhithlighi
tes ag Tuidhin term,26
ag Tegh Moling biothaingl^i
taotus27 do bheind.

40 — 21 mo ma K 22 do leann K 23 as mo as K 24 foraire K.

25 bhennnd B 26 teinn K 27 thaethusa K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 81

Greater than the material for a little cloak

thy head has turned grey ;

if I were on each little point,

there would be a pointlet on every point.

Thou stag that comest lowing
to me across the glen,
pleasant is the place for seats
on the top of thy antler-points.

I am Suibhne, a poor suppliant,
swiftly do I race across the glen ;
that is not my lawful name,
rather is it Fer benn.1

The springs I found best :
the well of Leithead Lan,
the well most beautiful and cool,
the fountain of Dun Mail.

Though many are my wanderings,
my raiment to-day is scanty ;
I myself keep my watch
on the top of the mountains.

0 tall, russet fern,

thy mantle has been made red ;
there is no bed for an outlaw
in the branches of thy crests.

At ever-angelic Tech Moling.

at puissant Toidhen in the south,

'tis there my eternal resting-place will be,

1 shall fall by a [spear]-point.

40 — i i.e. man of the peaks.
G

82 BUILE SUIBHNE

Dorad misi it chumann-sa

mallacht Ronáin Finn,

a bhennáin, a bhúireadháin

a bhéiceadáin binn.' A beannain.

41 [89 a] A haithle na laidhe sin tainic Suibhne a Fidh
Gaibhle co Beinn mBóghaine, assein co Beind Fhaibhne,
aisséin co Raith Murbuilg 7 ni ffuair a dhion ar an ccaWUg/i
co rainig co Dun Sobairce i nUltat'6/i. Roling Suibhne
iarumh do bheinn an dúine síos each ndíriuch riasan cca\\U'g/i.
Roling si co hiomhathlomh ina dheaghaidh co ttorchair do
aill Dhuine Sobharci co ndernadh mionbhrúar 7 minchomairt
di ann co ttorchair isin bhfairrge, conadh amhlaidh sin fúair
bás i ndedhaidh Suibhne.

42 Atbert Suibhne iarsin : ' Ni bhíu-sa i nDal Araidhe
fesda úair nommhuirfe^/z Loingseachán i ndiogail a chaillighi
mé dia mbeinn ara chumus.' Luid Suibhne iarumh co Ros
Chcmáin i Connachtuibh 7 rothoirinn for smith an topuz'r
co rochaith biorar 7 uisgi ann. Tainic ben a tigh an
oircinnigh dochum an tobair. Fbrbhasack mac FordhdAaigk
an t-oirchinneach sin. Rob í an bhean tainic ann, Finnseng
ingen Fhindealazg/i. Rotheich iarumh an gheilt reimpe 7
tuc sisi lamh tar an mbior#r báoi for an sruth. As ann
robhui Suibhne forsan mbili ina fiadhnuisi 7 robhúi ag
eccáoine moir fa na chuid bioratV dobhreth uadha conadh
edh atbert : ■ A bhen,' ar sé, ' as truagh duit mo bhiorar do
ureith1 úaim 7 da festá mar atú líair ni dhénann fer túaithe
na fine mh'oirchisecht ; ni theighim for aeidhzV/eacht do
thigh duine ar druim dhomain. As é mo búar mo bhiorar,
as e mo mhiodh mh'uisci, as iad mo chairde mo chroinn
crúadhloma cliothardhluithe 7 cén co mberthá-sa mo biorar,'
ar sé, 4 as derb nocha beitheá gan ni anocht mar atu-sa tar
éis mo bhiorair do breith uaim ' ; 7 dorinne a[n] laoidh so :

42—1 bieth K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 83

The curse of Ronan Finn
has thrown me in thy company,
O little stag, little bleating one,
O melodious little clamourer.'

41 After that lay Suibhne came from Fiodh Gaibhle to
Benn Boghaine, thence to Benn Faibhne, thence to Rath
Murbuilg, but he found no refuge from the hag until he
reached Dun Sobairce in Ulster. Suibhne leaped from the
summit of the fort sheer down in front of the hag. She
leaped quickly after him, but dropped on the cliff of Dun
Sobairce, where she was broken to pieces, and fell into the sea.
In that manner she found death in the wake of Suibhne.

42 Thereafter Suibhne said : ' Henceforth I shall not be
in Dal Araidhe, for Loingseachan, to avenge his hag, would
kill me if I were in his power.' Suibhne then went to Ros
Comain in Connacht, and he alighted at the brink of the
well, where he fared on watercress and water. A woman
came from the erenach's house to the well ; Forbhasach son
of Fordhalach was the erenach. Finnsheng daughter of
Findealach (?) was the name of the woman who came.
The madman fled from her and she laid hold of the
watercress which was in the stream. Suibhne on the tree
in front of her was bemoaning greatly that his portion of
watercress was taken away. Whereupon he said: 'O woman,'
said he, ' sad is it that you should take my watercress from
me, if you but knew the plight in which I am, for neither
tribesman nor kinsman pities me, nor do I visit as a guest
the house of anyone on the ridge of the world. For kine
I have my watercress, my water is my mead, my trees hard
and bare or close-sheltering are my friends. And even if
you did not take away my watercress/ said he, ' certain is
it that you would not be without something else to-night
as I am after my watercress has been taken from me': and
he made this lay :

G 2

84 BUILE SUIBHNE

43 'A bhen bhenus an biorar
agus bherius in uisci,
nocha betheá gan ni anocht
gén co mbertheá mo chuid-si.

Monúaran, a bhenagán,
nocha ragha an leth raghad,
misi amuigh a mbarraibh crann,
tusa tall a tigh charad.

Monúarán, a bhenagán,
as fuar an ghaeth domanuig,
nimoirchis mathair na mac,
ni fuil brat ar mo braghuid.

Da festá-sa, a bhenagan,1

mar atá2 sunna Suibhne,

seach ni {hagazd/i cuibhdhe neich,

ni {hagaidk nech3 a4 chuibhdhe.

Ni theighim a n-oirechtus
edir oguibh mo thire,
ni déntar dam oin^treas,5
ni théit mh'aire re righe.

Ni theighim ar aeidhza%eacht
do thigh mic duine a nEire,
fa meiucQ Horn bsbithgeltacht
ar bennuibh corra s\eb/ie.

- Ni tegar dom airfidedh
athazg/i re ndul im lighi,
nocha nfhaghuim oirchisecht
o íer tuaithe na fini.

43-- 1 sicK ; bhenagain B 2 sic K ; tá B 3 sic K neich B 4 om. K
5 an. leg. enechras, which has been translated.

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 85

43 ' O woman who pluckest the watercress
and takest the water,

thou wouldst not be without something to-night
even though thou didst not take my portion,

Alas, O woman !

thou wilt not go the way that I shall go ;

I abroad in the tree-tops,

thou yonder in a friend's house.

Alas, O woman !

cold is the wind that has come to me ;
nor mother nor son has pity on me,
no cloak is on my breast.

If thou but knewest, O woman,

how Suibhne here is :

he does not get friendship from anyone,

nor does anyone get his friendship.

I go not to a gathering
among warriors of my country,
no safeguard is granted me,
my thought is not on kingship

I go not as a guest

to the house of any man's son in Erin,
more often am I straying madly
on the pointed mountain-peaks.

None cometh to make music to me
for a while before going to rest,
no pity do I get
from tribesman or kinsman.

86 BUILE SUIBHNE

Antan robsom Suibhni-si
agus théighinn ar eacható/i,
antan tig im c[h]uimh[n]i-si5
mairg6 romfuirg^ a mbethazd/i.

As mé Suibhne szzhchendazdk,
as úar anaoibinn mh'ionadh,
ge béo anocht ar bhaithbencWM
a bhen bkenus mo bhiorar.

As é mo mhiodh mh'uisci fúar,
as é mo bhuar mo bhiorar,
as iad mo charaid mo chroinn,
ge 'tú gan leann, gan ionar.

As uar anocht an adhaigh,
gidh im7 bhocht ar áoi mbiorair,
atchúala guth an ghioghruinn
os \m\igh iomluim Iobhair.

Atú gan brat, gan ionar,
fada a ulc uair romlean#£%,
teichim re guth na cuirre
mar budh buille xombenadh.

Rigim co8 Dairbre ndaing^^
isna láibh aidhbhlibh v&xxaigh,
agus teichim re n-oidhche
siar co Boirche9 mbennazg/i.

Diamsat eolach, a fionnghág,
mo ghort ni treorach tenngharg,
ata nech dianad sgeile
an t-eiri beri, a bhengág.

43 — 5 ticc im chuinmsi K 6 sic K ; mhaire B 7 am K 8 sic K

om. B 9 binn mboirche K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 87

When I was Suibhne indeed
and used to go on steeds —
when that comes to my memory
alas that I was detained in life !

I am Suibhne, noble leader (?),
cold and joyless is my abode,
though I be to-night on wild peaks,

0 woman who pluckest my watercress.

My mead is my cold water,

my kine are my cresses,

my friends are my trees,

though I am without mantle or smock.

Cold is the night to-night,

though I am poor as regards watercress,

1 have heard the cry of the wild-goose
over bare Imlech Iobhair.

I am without mantle or smock,

the evil hour has long clung to me (?),

I flee at the cry of the heron

as though it were a blow that struck me.

I reach firm Dairbre
in the wondrous days of Spring,
and before night I flee
westward to Benn Boirche.

If thou art learned, O fair, crabbed one,
my field . . .

there is one to whom the burden thou takest
is a grievous matter, O hag.

88 BUILE SUIBHNE

At úara dotachuisi/z
ar brú tobair ghlais greanaigk,
deogh ghleórdha d'uisci iodhan
agus an biorar bhenaidh.

Mo chuid-si an10 biorar bheanaidh,
cuid gheilte sáoire singi,11
sgingid/i gaeth úar mam reand^zM
do bendaib/z gacha binni.

As uar gaeth an mha.da.nraid/1,
doicc etrom is mh'ionar,
nacha nfhétoim t'agalloimh,
a bhen bhenus an mbiorar.

[An bhean :] Fágaibh mo chuid don Choimdhi,
rium-sa na déna duilghe,
móide foghebha cennacht,
is heir bennacht, a Suibhne.

[Suibhne :] Denam cennach cert cubhaidh
ge 'tú a mullach an iubhair,
heir mh'ionar is mo chertin,
fágaibh an mbertin mbiorair.

As terc nech las am \onmuin,
ni fhuil mo theach ar talmain,
uaim o b\\eren mo bhiorar
mo chuid chionadh ar th'anmain.

Ni ris a13 nech rocharuis,
meisdi don13a ti rolenuis,
rofhágbhuis neach co daidbhir
imon airbir robhenais.

43 — io don K n seingi K 12 bheire K 13 an K 13» an K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE

It is cold they are

at the brink of a clear, pebbly spring —

a bright quaff of pure water

and the watercress you pluck.

My meal is the watercress you pluck,
the meal of a noble, emaciated madman ;
cold wind springs around my loins
from the peaks of each mountain.

Chilly is the wind of morn,

It comes between me and my smock,

I am unable to speak to thee,

O woman who pluckest the watercress.

89

The woman : Leave my portion to the Lord,
be not harsh to me ;
the more wilt thou attain supremacy,
and take a blessing, O Suibhne.

Suibhne : Let us make a bargain just and nttin;
though I am on the top of the yew ;
take thou my smock and my tatters,
leave the little bunch of cress.

There is scarce one by whom I am beloved,
I have no house on earth ;
since thou takest from me my watercress
my sins to be on thy soul !

Mayest thou not reach him whom thou hast

loved,
the worse for him whom thou hast followed ;
thou hast left one in poverty
because of the bunch thou hast plucked.

90 BUILE SUIBHNE

Creach na nGall ngorm dot gabháil,
orm nocha dernais deghdháil,
co bfaghbha on Choimdhe a chionaidh
mo chuid biorair do bhenail.14 [89 b]

A bhen, chugud da ttóra
Loingseachan ata run15 reabha
tabhair-si dhó trem chion<2z'<r//z
a leth an bhiorair bhena.' A bhen.

44 Robáoi-siomh i Ros Chomáin an oidhche sin, luid
aissein arnamhárach co SKabh n-uráoibhinn nEachtghe,
aissein co Sliabh minaluinn Mis, aissein co Sliabh bennard
Bladbma, aissein co hlnis Muread /2 aig/i ; coecáois ar mhis do
inti-sein i n-uaimh Dhon/záin Eghae, aissidhein co Carraic
Alustair.1 Gabhazd/i aite 7 ionadh ainsidhe 7 báoi caecaois
ar mhis eile innti. Fagbhais i iarsin agus ceileabhraidh dhi ;
gonadh ann adbert ag tabhairt a dhocra fein os aird annso :

45 ' Duairc an bhetha-sa

bheith gan m^z'thleaptha,1
adhbha uairseaca,
garbha gáoithsnechta.

Gaoth uar oighreata,
sgáth fann fainng/zréine,
fosgadh einbhile,
a mullach maighsléibhe.

Fulang fraissine,
ceim dar aisseola,
imthecht glaismhine,
madain ghlaisreódha.

43 — 14 The following note occurs at the foot of the page in B do choimh-
lionadh an bháinn ' to fill up the blank space '. 15 run K

44 — 1 sic K ; om. B
45— 1 sic K ; maithleaptha B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 91

May a raid of the blue-coated Norsemen take thee !
thine has not been a fortunate meeting for me,
mayest thou get from the Lord the blame
for cutting my portion of watercress.

O woman, if there should come to thee
Loingseachan whose delight is sport,
do thou give him on my behalf
half the watercress thou pluckest.'

44 That night he remained in Ros Comain and went
thence on the morrow to delightful Sliabh Aughty, thence to
smooth, beautiful Sliabh Mis, thence to lofty-peaked Sliabh
Bloom, thence to Inis Murray. For a fortnight and a
month he tarried in the cave of Donnan of Eig, and went
thence to Carrick Alastair where he took up his abode and
remained another fortnight and a month. He left it
afterwards and bade it farewell, and, proclaiming aloud his
own woes, said :

45 ■ Gloomy this life,

to be without a soft bed,

abode of cold frost,

roughness of wind-driven snow.

Cold, icy wind,

faint shadow of a feeble sun,

shelter of a single tree,

on the summit of a table-land.

Enduring the rain-storm,
stepping over deer-paths, (?)
faring through greensward
on a morn of grey frost.

92 BUILE SUIBHNE

Gair na damhraidhe
ar fhud fidhbhuidhe,
dreim re hoisbherna,
fogar fionnmhuire.

Maith, a morChoimdhe,
mor an meirbhnéll-sa,2
duilghe an duibhlen-sa,
Suibhne an3 seingbhlén-sa.

Rith dar breicbhernaibh
Boirche boithleaptha,
osnadh geamhoidhche,
coss i ccloichsneachta.

Luighe4 fliuchleapthach
learga LoichEirne,
menma ar mhuichimthecht
madan mhuicheirghe.

Rith tar tuinnbennaibh
Duine Sobhairce,
clúas re tromthonnaibh
Dhuine Rodairce.5

Rith on rathuinn-si
co tuinn mbseithBerbha,
feis ar c^adhcholbha
Dhúine cajimhC[h]ermna.

O Dhún caoimhChearmna
co Beinn mbl^thmBoirne,
cluas re clochadhart
Oz/acháin ghargOighle.

45 — 2 sic K; meirbhnélla B 3 om. K 4 sic K: luidhe B

5 sobairce K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 93

The bellowing of the stags
throughout the wood,
the climb to the deer-pass,
the voice of white seas.

Yea, O great Lord,

great this weakness,

more grievous this black sorrow,

Suibhne the slender-groined.

Racing over many-hued gaps
of Boirche of hut couches,
the sough of the winter night,
footing it in hailstones.

Lying on a wet bed
on the slopes of Loch Erne,
mind on early departure,
morn of early rising.

Racing over the wave-tops
of Dun Sobairce,
ear to the billows
of Dun Rodairce.

Running from this great wave
to the wave of the rushing Barrow,
sleeping on a hard couch
of fair Dun Cermna.

From fair Dun Cermna
to flowery Benn Boirne,
ear against a stone pillow
of rough Cruachan Oighle.

9-4 BUILE SUIBHNE

Utmhall mh'imirce
a muigh na Bóruime,
o Bheinn Iughoine6
go Beinn mBóghoine.7

Tainic chugum-sa
neach romlámhaigh-si,
ru' romsiodhaigh-si
bean romsáraigh-si.

Rug mo chuidigh-si
d'eis na cionadh-sa,
truagh an monar-sa,
adúas mo bhiorar-sa.

Biorar bhuingim-si,
biadha fionndlochtán,
ceithre <;ronnghlacáin
Glinne fionnBholcáin.

Sásadh saicchim-si,
suairc an monarán,
deoch don uisgi-si,
thiobrad fhionnRonán.

Corra mh'ingni-si,
maeth mo chreasa-sa,
toll mo chosa-sa,
lorn mo leasa-sa.

Béraitt oram-sa
fian co talchuraibh,
cían o Ultachaibh,
triall a nAlban^aibh.

45 — 6 u oine K 7 moghuine K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 95

Restless my wandering
in the plain of the Boroma,
from Benn lughoine
to Benn Boghaine.

There has come to me
one who has laid hands on me,
she has brought no peace to me,
the woman who has dishonoured me.

She has taken my portion
on account of my sins,
wretched the work —
my watercress has been eaten.

Watercress I pluck,
food in a fair bunch,
four round handfuls
of fair Glen Bolcain.

A meal I seek —

pleasant the bogberry,

a drink of water here

from the well of Ronan Finn.

Bent are my nails,
feeble my loins,
pierced my feet,
bare my thighs.

There will overtake me
a warrior-band stubbornly,
far from Ulster,
faring in Alba.

96 BUILE SUIBHNE

D'éis an astair-si
truagh mo sanusW<a%,
bith a ccrúadhchomtfzaV/
Chairrge Alastoir.

Carraig Alastair,
adhbha d' fáoilennaibh,
truagh a Dhúilemhain,
uar dha háoidheadhaibh.

Carraig Alastair,
cloc na cruthailde,
lór a leathairde,
srón re srz/thfairrge.

Truagh ar ccomhraic-ne,
dias chorr criiadhluirgnech,
misi crúaidhleadhbach,
sisi crúaidhghuilbnech.

Fliuch na leaptha-sa
itá mh'áras-[s]a,
beg dosaoiles-[s]a
gur chreg chádhasa.

Olc do chláonChongtf/
cath do t.hárrachtain,
mar chuing n-imeachtair
rothuill mallachtain.

A cath RathM&zV/ze
tráth do ruachtas-[s]a
re nguin mh'échta-sa
nimdluigh dúarcus-[s]a. D.

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 97

After this journey —
sad is my secret song —
to be in the hard company
of Carraig Alastair.

Carraig Alastair,
abode of sea-gulls,
sad, O Creator,
chilly for its guests.

Carraig Alastair,

bell-shaped rock,1

sufficient were it half the height,

nose to the main.

Sad our meeting ;

a couple of cranes hard-shanked —

I hard and ragged,

she hard-beaked.

Wet these beds
wherein is my dwelling,
little did I think
it was a rock of holiness.

Bad was it for Congal Claon
that he arrived at the battle ;
like an outer yoke2
he has earned a curse.

When I fled

from the battle of Magh Rath

before my undoing,

I deserved not harshness.

45 — i and 2 See Notes.
H

98 BUILE SUIBHNE

Truagh an turus-[s]a,
ni ma tánag-sa,
cían om eólus-sa,
crioch gusa ránag-sa.8

T'wxcíaidh Loingseachán,
truagh a thurusa,
ge romlen^-j-a
ni ba hurusa.

Caille comhfhada,

cladh na cuarta-sa,

tír gus ránag-sa,

ni gniomh dúarcusa. D.

Duibhlinn dunBhoirche,
tren romfúdLsnazd/i-si,
aidhbhle a hiochtair-si,
daingne a huachtair-si.

As ferr fuarus-[s]a
coillte cosmhuile,
roighni ruisMhidhe,
aidhbhle Osraighe.

\]\aidh fhoghamhair
im Loch Cuan cntheoiaigh,
tadhall samhrata
Cheineóil mbithEóghain.

Imthecht \ughr\2isaidh
Taillten Xiobraidht,
iasgach earrch*Kd%e
Sionna siobhlaighe.

45 — 8 rangasa K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHXE 99

Sad this expedition ;
would that I had not come !
far from my home
is the country I have reached.

Loingseachan will come,
sad his journeys;
though he follow me,
it will not be easy.

Far-stretching woods
are the rampart of this circuit —
the land to which I have come —
not a deed of sadness.

The black lake of fortressed Boirche
greatly has it perturbed me ;
the vastness of its depths,
the strength of its wave-crests.

Better found I

pleasant woods,

choice places of wooded Meath,

the vastness of Ossory.

Ulaidh in harvest-time
about quivering Loch Cuan,
a summer visit
to the race of enduring Eoghan.

A journey at Lammastide
to Taillten of fountains,
fishing in springtime
the meandering Shannon.
H 2

100 BUILE SUIBHNE

Minig riccim-si
tir comW/z/us-[s]a,
buidhni bar[r]ch«^a,
druimni dúarcusa.' Dúaírc.

46 [90 a] Rofhágaibh Suibhne an charraicc iarsin 7
dochuaidh tar an muir ccráosfhairsing, ccithainbhthenaigh
co ráinic Crioch Bhreatan. Dorad a láimh1 ndeis re dúnadh
righ Bretan co ttarla dochum feadha moir é 7 an chonair
tainic fon fidh atchua\aidk2 an uchbhad^r//3 7 an eccaoini 7
an mhairgneach mor 7 an osnadhach éccalma. As edh
robhui annsin, geilt eile robhoi ar fhud an fhedha. Tainic-
siomh iaromh dha ionnsaighe. ' Cia thu ? a dhuine,' ar
Suibhne. ' Geilt misi,' ar sé. ' Másat4 geilt/ ar Suibhne,
' tair ale co n[d]ernom comann, ar isam5 geilt-si bheos.'
' Doragainn,' ar an gheilt oili, ' muna bheith egla thighe no
theglaigk an righ dom tharrachtain 7 ni fhetar nack diobh
duit-si.' ' Ni diobh éiccin,' ar Suibhne, ' 7 sloinn-si t'ainm
bunaidk dhamh o nac[h] diobh.' ' Fer Cailli mh'ainm/ ar
an gheilt ; conadh ami itbert Suibhne an rann sa 7 rofreagair
Fear Caille é, mar so sios :

47 [Suibhne :] ' A Yhir Chaille, cidh dotharrazdk ?
truagh do ghuth,
abair damh-sa cidh rodmannair1
ceill no2 cruth ?

[Fer Caille :] Ro-innisfinn duit mo sgéla,
sceo mo ghniomh,

muna bheith eag\ac/i inn slúagh seghdha3
thoighe an righ.

46 — 1 lámh K 2 atchuala K 3 uchtbadhach K 4 masae K

5 sic K ; isim B

THE FRENZY OF SUÍBHNE 101

Often do I reach

the land I have set in order,

curly-haired hosts,

stern ridges.'

46 Suibhne then left Carraig Alastair and went over the
wide-mouthed, storm-swept sea until he reached the land of
the Britons. He left the fortress of the king of the Britons
on his right hand and came on a great wood. As he passed
along the wood he heard lamenting and wailing, a great moan
of anguish and feeble sighing. It was another madman who
was wandering through the wood. Suibhne went up to him.
* Who are you, my man ? ' said Suibhne. ' I am a madman/
said he. ' If you are a madman/ said Suibhne, ' come hither
so that we may be friends, for I too am a madman.' ' I
would/ said the other, ' were it not for fear of the king's house
or household seizing me, and I do not know that you are not
one of them.' ' I am not indeed/ said Suibhne, - and since I
am not, tell me your family name.' ' Fer Caille (Man of the
Wood) is my name/ said the madman ; whereupon Suibhne
uttered this stave and Fer Caille answered him as
follows :

47 Suibhne : ■ O Fer Cailli, what has befallen thee ?
sad is thy voice ;
tell me what has marred thee
in sense or form.

Fer Caille: I would tell thee my story,
likewise my deeds,
were it not for fear of the proud host
of the king's household.

47—1 riotmannuair K 2 do K 3 muna eagla learn sluaigh seghdha K

102 RUILE SUIBHNE

As mé Ealadhan4 noroicbW/z
iolar ndreann,

as diom-sa la each dogoirtz#/zi
luam5-gheilt ghlenn.

[Suibhne •] As misi Suibhne mac Colmáin
o Bhúais bhil,

as usaidi dhuinn ar ccomhradh
sunn, a fhir.' A fhir.

48 Tug each dhiobh taobh re 'roile iersin gur fhiafraigh-
eddar fe[i]n sgéla da chéle. Atbert Suibhne risin ngeilt :
' Dén-sa do slondadh dhamh-sa,' ar sé. ' Mac brughaidh mé/
ar an gheilt Breathnach, ' 7 is don tír-si ittám mo bhunadhus
7 Alladhán mh'ainm.' ' Innis dam,' ar Suibhne, ' cidh rottuc
ar gealtacht thu.' ' Ni hansa. Dhá righ robhádar ag
imchosnamh im righe na enche-si fecht n-aill .1. Eochaidh
Aincheas mac Guaire Mzthra (?) 7 Cúgúa mac Gúaire ; ba do
muintzV IL&chaidh damh-sa,' ar sé, ' uair as é dobudh ferr
don dias sin. Dorónadh iarumh moirthionól do o,hur c/iatha.
fria aroile imon tir-si. Roc«/res-[s]a gesa ar gach aon do
muintzV mo thigherna cona úgsedh neach dhiobh gan édach
sroil uime dochum an chatha ar go mbudh suaithenta seach
each iet la huaill 7 diumus. Tucsat immorro na slúaigh tri
gairthi mallacht form-sa, co ttucsat-sidhe misi ar fáoineal 7
ar foluamhuin amail atchithi-si.'

49 Rofhiarfaidh-siomh mar an cetna do Suibhne cidh
dusfug for gealtacht. ' Briathrtf Rónáin/ ar Suibhne, ' uair
roesccáoin-siomh misi re hucht aztha Muighe Rath, co
roeirghes a n-airde asin ccath sin co ufuilim ar faoinneal 7
ar foiuamain osin ale.' • A Suiune,' ar Alladhán, ' coimhed^/z
each uainn a chéile co maith o doratsom taobh1 fria aroile .i.
anti uain as luaithe chluinfes glaédh cuirre do loch linnghlas
linnúaine no guth gléghlan gaircce, no leim creabhair do

47 — 4 AUadhan K, and so throughout. 5 luaith K
49—1 sic K; om. B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 103

Ealadhan am I

who used to go to many combats,

1 am known to all

as the leading1 madman of the glens.

Suibhne : Suibhne son of Colman am I
from the pleasant Bush;
the easier for us is converse
here, O man.'

48 After that each confided in the other and they asked
tidings of each other. Said Suibhne to the madman : ' Give
an account of yourself.' ' I am son of a landholder,' said the
madman of Britain, ' and I am a native of this country in
which we are, and Ealladhan is my name.' ' Tell me,' said
Suibhne, ' what caused your madness.' ' Not difficult to
say. Once upon a time two kings were contending for the
sovereignty of this country, viz., Eochaidh Aincheas, son of
Guaire Mathra, and Cugua, son of Guaire. Of the people of
Eochaidh am I/ said he, ' for he was the better of the two.
There was then convened a great assembly to give battle to
each other concerning the country. I put geasa on each
one of my lord's people that none of them should come to
the battle except they were clothed in silk, so that they might
be conspicuous beyond all for pomp and pride. The hosts
gave three shouts of malediction on me, which sent me
wandering and fleeing as you see.'

49 In the same way he asked Suibhne what drove him
to madness. ' The words of Ronan,' said Suibhne, * for he
cursed me in front of the battle of Magh Rath, so that I rose
on high out of the battle, and I have been wandering and
fleeing ever since.' ' O Suibhne,' said Ealladhan, ' let each of
us keep good watch over the other since we have placed trust
in each other ; that is, he who shall soonest hear the cry of a
heron from a blue-watered, green-watered lough or the clear

i ' swift ' K

104 BUILE SUÍBHNE

chraoibh, fedghaire no guth feadóige ar na hordhúsgad/i no
fuaim crionaigh aga choimhbris<?^, no fosgadh eóin ós
fiodhbazdk, erfhúagradh 7 innisedh antí atchluinfe é ar tús
don fior oile, biodh ead dhá cr^nn2 eatrainn 7 da rathaigh^/y^
neach uainn ni dona neithibh réimráitiu sin no a n-ionnsamail
oile dentar teichedh maith linn iaromh.'

50 Dogniat samhlaidh 7 badar bliadhain lán i ufarradh
aroili. Hi cinn na bliadhna sin adbert Alladhan fri Suibhne :
1 As mithidh duinn sgaradh aniu,' ar sé, ' uair tainic forcheann
mo soeghail-si 7 nocha nfhéduim gan dul gusin ionad/i in
rocinn^/z dhamh ég d'fhagháil.' ' Cidh ón, gá bás fogébha ? '
ar Suibhne. ' Ni hansa' ar Alladhán, ' A. rachad anois go
hEs nDubhthaigh 7 cuirfidhther athack gaeithe fum aim 7
romcfhjuirther1 'san es mé2 go rombait^r ann 7 nomadh-
naict^éT iarsin i relic fhíreóin 7 foghebh nemh, conadh í sin
crioch mo bheathadh-sa, 7, a Suiune,' ar Alladhán, ' innis
damh-sa cia hdddhedh notbéra fadhéin ? ' Ro-innis Suibhne
dhó iarum febh atféd an sgél síosana. Rosgarsat lasodhain 7
rotriall an Breathnach go hEs nDubhthaigh 7 o rainic an t-es
vobaidedh ann é.

51 [90 b] Tainic iarumh Suibhne reimhe dochum nErenn
co ttarla i ndíuidh laoi é go Magh Line i nUltaibh 7 o tuc
aithne ar an magh atbert: Maith éimh each aga rabhadus-[s]a
ar an magh sa,' ar sé, ' .i. Congal Cláon mac Sgannláin 7
fos,' ar se, ' ropudh maith an magh sa ina rabham^r ann.
Robhadhus-[s]a 7 Congal la forsan magh sa ; co n-ébart-sa
fris : ' Rob áil damh dol dochum tigerna eile/ ar laghad mo
thuarastail aigi-siomh, conadh annsin dorad-som dhamh-sa
ar oirisiumh aicci tri choega each n-aluinn n-allmhardha
imon each donn robhói aigi budhdhein 7 tri chaoga calg ndéd
ndreachsolus, caoca fermhogh 7 caoca banmhogh 7 ionar go
n-or 7 fúathrog bhuilidh bhreacsróil.' Conadh ann atbert
Suibhne an dán so ann go léig :

49 — 2 no tri crainn add K 50 — 1 romcuirfidhther K 2 om. K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 105

note of a cormorant, or the flight of a woodcock from a
branch, the whistle or sound of a plover on being woke
from its sleep, or the sound of withered branches being broken,
or shall see the shadow of a bird above the wood, let him
who shall first hear warn and tell the other ; let there be
the distance of two trees between us ; and if one of us
should hear any of the before-mentioned things or anything
resembling them, let us fly quickly away thereafter.'

50 They do so, and they were a whole year together.
At the end of the year Ealladhan said to Suibhne : ' It is
time that we part to-day, for the end of my life has come,
and I must go to the place where it has been destined for
me to die.' 'What death shall you die?' said Suibhne.
* Not difficult to say,' said Ealladhan ; ' I go now to Eas
Dubhthaigh, and a blast of wind will get under me and cast
me into the waterfall so that I shall be drowned, and I
shall be buried afterwards in a churchyard of a saint, and
I shall obtain Heaven ; and that is the end of my life. And,

0 Suibhne/ said Ealladhan, ' tell me what your own fate
will be.' Suibhne then told him as the story relates below.
At that they parted and the Briton set out for Eas Dubhthaigh,
and when he reached the waterfall he was drowned in it.

51 Suibhne then came to Ireland and at the close of day
he arrived at Magh Line in Ulster. When he recognized
the plain he said : ' Good in sooth was he with whom I
sojourned on the plain, even Congal Claon, son of Scannlan,
and good moreover was the plain on which we were. One
day Congal and I were there and I said to him : ' I would
fain go to another master,' because of the meagre recompense

1 received from him. Whereat, in order that I might stay
with him, he gave me thrice fifty beautiful, foreign steeds
together with his own brown steed, and thrice fifty gleaming,
tusk-hilted swords, fifty bondsmen, and fifty bondsmaids, a
tunic with gold and a splendid girdle of chequered silk.
Thereupon Suibhne recited this poem :

106 BUILE SUIBHNE

52 ' I Muigh Line itu-sa anocht,

atgeóghuinn1 mo chroidhe taobhnocht,
is atgeoin misi an magh
i mbidh mo seisi Conghal.

Feacht rombá-sa2 is Congal Claon
sunn ar an muigh-si maráon,
ag dul a nDruim Lorgan lain
doronsamar sist chomhráidh.

Adubhart-sa ris an righ,
ba iaXach (?) ar thairisi,3
as ail damh dul ar astar,
as beg lem mo thuarastal.

Rugus-[s]a uadh mar asgaidh
tri cháoga each n-adhastair,
tri chaoga claideamh tren tailc,
caoga gall, caoga ionnailt.

Rugus-[s]a uadh an t-each donn

as ferr dosir fér is fonn,

rucus a ionar go n-ór

is a fuathrog do breacsról.

Ga magh is fiú Magh Lini
acht in magh ata i Midhe,
no Magh Femhin co lion cros,
no an mag itá i nAirgeadros?

No Magh Feadha, no Magh Luirg,
no Magh nAoi co n-áille uird,
no Magh Life, no Magh Li,
no an magh ita i Muirtheimhni ?

52 — i atgheoin K 2 rombadhusa K 3 thairsi K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 107

52 ' In Magh Line I am to-night,
my bare breast knows it ;
I know too the plain
wherein dwelt my mate Congal.

Once upon a time Congal Claon and I
were here in the plain together ;
as we were going to plenteous Druim Lurgain,
we made converse for a while.

Said I to the king —

' I am fain to depart
too little do I deem my recompense.'

I got from him as a gift

thrice fifty bridled steeds,

thrice fifty strong swords,

fifty foreigners and fifty handmaidens.

I got from him the brown steed,

the best that sped over meadow and sward ;

I got his golden tunic

and his girdle of chequered silk.

What plain is a match for Magh Line,
unless it be the plain that is in Meath,
or Magh Femin of many crosses,
or the plain that is in Airgeadros ?

Or Magh Feadha, or Magh Luirg,
or Magh Aei with beauty of rank,
or Magh Life, or Magh Li,
or the plain that is in Murthemne?

108 BUILE SUIBHNE

Do neoch atchonnarc-sa riamh

edir thuaidh, thes is thiar,

nocha nfaca-sa4 go se

a macsamhla an muigi-se.' A magh.

53 A haithle na laoidhi sin tainic Suibhne roime co
Glenn mBolcáin 7 robhui aga chuartugudh co ttarla bengheilt
dó ann. Teichz^/z-siumh roimpi 7 ara áoi sin tuigedh gurab
ar gealtacht robháoi an bhen 7 iomp^zV/zis ria. Teichid/i
sisi reimhi-sium ainnsein. •' Uchán a Dhé,' ar Suibhne, ' as
trúagh an bhetha sa .i. misi ag te'iched/i Hasan ngealtóig 7
sisi ag teichedA róm-sa ar lar Ghlinne Bolcáin ; Jis ionmuin
eim an t-ionad eisidhen V co n-ebairt :

54 ' Misgais, mairg duine dobheir,
ni má cin 's ni má roghein,
cidh ben dobéra, cidh fer,
ni rois^t an dis naoimhneamh.

Ni minic bhíos cumann trir
gan duine fo1 fhodhord dibh,
droigni is drisi romc[h]oirb
conadh misi an fer fodhoird.

Gealtóg ar teiclW/z a fir,
gidhedh as sgél n-anaithnidh,
fer gan meither is gan bhróig
ag teichedk ríasan ngealtóig.

Ar mian o thigid cadhain
gusan mbealltine ar samhuin,
in gach coill cheir gan tacha
bheith i ccrannuibh eidhneacha.

52 — 4 nfaca K

53 — 1-1 sic K ; 7 is ionmhuin eimh eisidhéin 7 in t-ionad gealtachta B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHXE 109

Of all that I have ever seen
both north and south and west,
I have not yet beheld
the peer of this plain.'

53 After that lay Suibhne came on to Glen Bolcain, and
he was wandering through it when he encountered a mad
woman. He fled before her and yet he divined that she
was in a state of madness, and he turned towards her. At
that she fled before him. 'Alas, O God!' said Suibhne,
' wretched is this life ; here am I fleeing from the crazy
woman and she fleeing from me in the midst of Glen
Bolcain ; dear in sooth is that place'; whereupon he
said :

54 "' Woe to him who bears enmity,

would that he had not been born or brought forth !
whether it be a woman or a man that bear it.
may the two not reach holy Heaven !

Seldom is there a league of three
without one of them murmuring ;
blackthorns and briars have torn me
so that I am the murmurer.

A crazy woman fleeing from her man —
however, it is a strange tale —
a man without clothes, without shoes,
fleeing before the woman.

Our desire when the wild ducks come
at Samhuin, up to May-day,
in each brown wood without scarcity
to be in ivy-branches.

54 — I om. K 2 ag K

110 BUILE SUIBHNE

Uisge Ghlinne Bolcáin báin,
éistecht re a énlaith n-iomláin,
a srotha millsi nach mall,3
a innsi agus a abhann.

A chuilenn cliuthar 's a choill,
a duille, a dreasa, a dercoinn,
a sméra áille uagha,
a chna, a airne ionnúara.

Iomad a chuan fo c^r<2nnuibh,
bmredhdich. a dhamh n-a\\aidh*
a uisci iodhan gan gheis,
ni liom-sa roba miosgais/ M.

55 Luidh iarum Suibhne gusin bhail ina raibhi Eorann
co rothoiris ar fordhorus in tighe i mbói an riogan cona
banntracht, conadh ann adbert : ' Sádhal sin, a Eorann,' ar
sé, ' cidh ansádhal damh-sa.' ' As fior,' ar Eorann, ' 7 táir-si1
asteach,' ar si. ' Ni raghatt éimh/ ar Suibhne, ' ar nach gabat*
in sluagh imchumhang an toighi form.' ' Dar Horn,' ar an
inghen, 'nocha nferr do chiall [91 a] ar gach ló da ttig dhuit 7
ó nach áil duit anadh aguinn,' ar si, ' dena imtecht 7 na háitigh
chugainn idir, doigh is nar3 linn t'fhaicsin fon deilbh sin dona
dáoinibh atchonnca/ar thu fod dheilbh fé[i]n.' ' Truagh éimh
sin,' air Suibhne, ' as mairg dobter taobh re mnáoi tar eis
na mbriathar sin. Uair ba maith mo chummaoin-si ar an
mnáoi romfúagrann samhlaidh, dóigh tucus inn-aonló dhi tri
chaoga bó 7 caoga each, 7 da madh é an la romharbhus
Oilill Cédach, rí Ua fFhaoláin, robadh maith lé mh'fhaicsin-si';
gonadh ann adbert annso sios :

54 — 3 sic K ; nail B 4 sic K ; na.i\lidh B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 111

Water of bright Glen Bolcain,
listening to its many birds ;
its melodious, rushing streams,
its islands and its rivers.

Its sheltering holly and its hazels,
its leaves, its brambles, its acorns,
its delicious, fresh berries,
its nuts, its refreshing sloes.

The number of its packs of hounds in woods,

the bellowing of its stags,

its pure water without prohibition ;

'tis not I that hated it.'

55 Thereafter Suibhne went to the place where Eorann
was and stood at the outer door of the house wherein
were the queen and her womenfolk, and then he said : ' At
ease art thou, Eorann, though ease is not for me.' ' True/
said Eorann, ' but come in/ said she. ' In sooth I will not/
said Suibhne, * lest the army pen me in the house.'
' Methinks/ said the woman, ' no better is your reason from
day to day, and since you do not wish to stay with us/
said she, ' go away and do not visit us at all, for we are
ashamed that you should be seen in that guise by people
who have seen you in your true guise.' ' Wretched in sooth
is that/ said Suibhne, ' woe to him who trusts a woman
after these words. For great was my kindness to the woman
who dismisses me thus, seeing that on one day I gave her
thrice fifty cows and fifty steeds ; and if it were the day I
slew Oilill Cedach, king of the Ui Faolain, she would have
been glad to see me ' ; whereupon he said :

55 — i tairis^A K 2 gabhaid K 3 nair K

112 BU1LE SUIBHNE

56 ' Mairg fa ttabhraid mna men ma
cia bheith d'feabhus a ndealbha,
an tan as e Suibne Geilt
na fuair cuibhdhe dá cheidseirc.

As mairg dobheir taobh re mnáibh
cidh a n-oidhchibh, cidh i lláibh,
cidh bed bhes ina n-in;/e
d'aithle meabhla Eorainne.1

Maith mo chummáoin ar an mnáoi,
gan fordal, gan iomargháoi,
tarrazd/i diom tri cháoga bó
la cáoga each a n-áonló.

Antan dobhinn isin bfeidhm
nocha n-iomghabhainn ceitheirn,
ait ina mbiodh treas no troid
robsam comhlann do t/zriochaid.

Rofhíarfaidh Congal, céim nglan,
din inar n-óccaibh Uladh,
cuich úaibh dhiongbhus isin chath
Oilill Cédach comhromhach ?

Allata, fergach an fer,
adhbhal a sgiath is a sleagh,
dorat i socht seal an slogh,
an fer dífreagra, dímhór.

Adubhart-sa ar láimh Chongail,
noc[h]arbh áithesg fir omhnaigh,
dingébhad-sa Oilill oil
gidh tren tar chách a chomhlonn.

56 — i This stanza is taken from K, it does not occur in B 2 ngal K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 113

56 ' Woe to those who strike women's fancy,
however excellent their form,
since Suibhne Geilt
has got no sympathy from his first love.

And woe to him who trusts in women
whether by night or by day,
whatever be in their minds,
after the treachery of Eorann.

Good was my kindness to the woman —
without guile, without deceit —
she got from me thrice fifty cows
and fifty steeds in one day.

When I was in the conflict
I would not avoid an armed band ;
where there was a fight or a tussle
I was a match for thirty.

Rightly did Congal ask
of us Ulster warriors :
' which of you will repel in battle
Oilill Cedach the combative ?'

Wild and angry the man,
huge his shield and his spear,
he stilled for a time the host,
the matchless, huge man.

Said I at Congal's side —
it was not the response of a timid man —
' I will ward off mighty Oilill,
though hard beyond all is it to encounter him/

I

114 BUILE SUIBHNK

Rofhágbhus Oilill gan chenn

agus robudh lánmhaith learn,

torchradar learn imalle

cuig mic righ Muige Mairge.' Mairg.

57 Rothógaibh Suibhne uimi lasodhain co hétrom imísiol
aéerdha do1 ind gach aird 7 do tulmhoing gacha tulchi for
araill co riacht Bénna Boirche fodhes. Roghabh fós isin
maighin sin, co n-ebairt : ' Maith in t-ionadh geilte so,' ar
sé, ' acht namá ni hionadh eatha, blechta no bídh é, acht is
ionadh anforusta ansocair 7 ni dion ar dhoininn na ar
dherthan bheith ann, gidh ionadh urartt aoibhinn é '; gonadh
and adbert na briathra so sios ceo léig :

58 ' Fuar anocht Benna Boirche,
as ionadh fhir anfhoirfe,
ni hionadh bidh na blechta,
re sin is re sirsnechta.

As fuar mo leabaidh oidche

a mullach Bheinne Boirche,

am fann, nimfulaing édach

ar chrann chuilinn crúaidhghégach.

O romgeibh fuacht isind aigh1
tigim go háith 'na aghaidk,
beirim ádÁger don gháoith ghle
dar leirg Laig^/z Laogha[i]re.

Glenn Bolcáin an tobair gloin,
as e mh'árus re hanmoin,
o thicc lá Samhna, o teid sam,
as é mh'árus re hanadh.

57—1 sic K dlió B
58—1 aig B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 115

Headless I left Oilill,

and right glad was I thereat ;

by me also there fell

five sons of the king of Magh Mairge.'

57 Thereupon Suibhne rose lightly, stealthily, airily, from
the point of every height and from the summit of one hill to
another until he reached Benn Boirche in the south. In that
place he rested saying : ' This is a spot for a madman, but
yet no place is it for corn or milk or food ; it is an uncom-
fortable, unquiet place, nor has it shelter against storm or
shower, though it is a lofty, beautiful place,' whereupon he
uttered these words :

58 ' Cold to-night is Benn Boirche,
'tis the abode of a blighted man ;
no place is it for food or milk,
nor in storm and endless snow.

Cold is my bed at night
on the summit of Benn Boirche;
I am weak, no raiment covers me
on a sharp-branching holly-tree.

When cold has gripped me in the ice

I move sharply against it,

I give fire to the glinting wind

blowing over the plain of Laoghaire's Leinster.

Glen Bolcain of the clear spring,
it is my dwelling to abide in ;
when Samhuin comes, when summer goes,
it is my dwelling where I abide.
I 2

116 BUILE SUIBHNE

Gacha sirinn thiar is toir
seachnóin ghlenntadh Glanamhrazgk,
bidh sion cruaidhsnechta im cheann,
i ndion uairghealta Eirenn.

As é sin mo ghlenn grádha,
as é m'ferann comhdhála,
as é mo dun riogh re roinn,
as é mo dion ar dhoininn.

As é sin m'fulang oidhche :
cnuasach mo da c/irobh choidhche,
benoim a ndoiribh doirchz'M
do \uibzbk, do lántoirthzM.

Mian Hum na mó[n]ain?/ co mbloidk,
at millsi na maothnatoin
fothlac[h]t, femar, as mian damh,
an lus bian is an biorar.

Ubhla, caora, cna cuill chain,
sméra, dercain do dharaigh,
subha craobh, is fíach féile,
sgeachóra scíach scenbhgeVe.

Siomsán, samhadh, creamhlus cain
agus bior[o]ráin bharrghlain,
benuidh dhiom géire malle,
dercain sléibhe, bu^ melle.

Meisi i fersLnn ghlas nac/i glenn,

a Christ, ni rochomhraceam,

ni fhuil mo dual-sa re a dul

acht2 gidhim fúar-sa, is fúar-s«m.' Fuar anocht.

58—2 om. K.

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 117

Wheresoever I might wander west and east

throughout Glanamhrach's glens

the biting snowstorm is in my face,

for shelter of the chilly madman of Erin.

That is my beloved glen,

my land of foregathering,

my royal fortress that has fallen to my share,

my shelter against storm.

For my sustenance at night
I have all that my hands glean
in dark oak-woods
of herbs and plenteous fruit.

I love the precious bog-berries,
they are sweeter than . . .
brooklime, sea-weed, they are my desire,
the lus bian and the watercress.

Apples, berries, beautiful hazel-nuts,
blackberries, acorns from the oak-tree,
raspberries, they are the due of generosity,
haws of the prickly-sharp hawthorn.

wood-sorrels, goodly wild garlic,
and clean-topped cress,
together they drive hunger from me,
mountain acorns, vielle root.

I in a green land that is not a glen,
O Christ, may I never reach it !
it is not my due to be there ;
but though I am cold, it also is cold.1

i See Notes.

118 BUILE SUIBHNE

59 [91 b] Tainic-siumh roimhe isin maidin arnamhárach
co Magh Feimhin, luid aisséin co Sionainn sr«thghlain
sriobhúaine, asséin co hEchtge n-aird n-uraoibhinn, aisséin co
feronn mionghlas móirédrocht Maenmhuighe, aisséin co
sruth sáoraluinn Suca, aissein go himlibh Locha soileathain
Ribh. Gabhaidh iaromh fos 7 comhnaidhe i nglaic Bhile
Tiobradáin1 i cCrích Gháille i n-oirther Connacht in oidhche
sin. Dá mhennatoz'^/z disli-siom i nErinn an t-ionadh sin.
Rogabh tuirsi mor 7 muichneachus é, conadh ann adbert :
' As mor eimh/ ar sé, 'do imnedh 7 do dhocomhul rochésus
conuige so,ba fúar mh'ionadh aréir.i.i mullach Bheinne Boirche
7 ní nemhfhuaire mh'ionadh anocht a nglaic Bhile Tiobradáin.'

60 Uair is amhlaidh robhói an oidhchi sin, ag cur snechta
7 an mhéd nocuredh noreoáadh factóoir a haithli a chuir,
conadh ann adbert-somh : ' Mo chubhais éimh,' ar sé, ' as
mor do dhocruibh rofhuilnges-[s]a, o rofhás mo chluimh
gus anocht. Rofheadar/ ar sé, c cidh bás foghebhainn de,
robadh ferr dhamh taobh do thabhairt re dáoinibh ina na
docra-sa do fhulang do ghrés ;' gonadh ann adbert an laoidh
ag tabairt a dhocra os áird :

61 ' Mor múich attu-sa anocht,

rotreaghd mo chorp an gháoth ghlan,
toll mo throighthiu, glas mo ghruadh,
a Dhé mhóir, atá a dhúal damh.

I mBeinn Bhoirche dhamh aréir,
romt[h]uairg bráoin in Echtga uair,
anocht robhretait1 mo bhoill
i nglaic chroinn i nGaille ghluair.

Rofhuilnges mor ttreas gan tlás
o rofhás clúmh ar mo chorp,
ar gach n-oidhche is ar gach ló
as mó sa mhó fhuilghim d'olc.

59 — t tioprata K 61 — I K has rochreathait above robhreatait

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 119

59 On the morning of the morrow Suibhne came on to
Magh Femhin, thence he fared to the limpid, green-streamed
Shannon, thence to lofty, beautiful Aughty, thence to the
smooth-green, bright land of Maenmagh, thence to the noble
and delightful river Suck, thence to the shores of spreading
Lough Ree. That night he made his resting-place in
the fork of Bile Tiobradain in Crich Gaille in the east of
Connaught. That was one of his beloved places in Ireland.
Great sorrow and misery came upon him, whereupon he
said : ' Great in sooth is the trouble and anxiety I have
suffered hitherto ; cold was my dwelling-place last night on
the summit of Benn Boirche, nor less cold is my dwelling-
place to-night in the fork of Bile Tiobradain/

60 For it was snowing that night and as fast as the
snow fell it was frozen, whereupon he said : 'My conscience !
great is the suffering I have endured from the time my
feathers have grown until to-night. I know,' said he, ' that
though I might meet my death therefrom, it were better
that I should trust people than suffer these woes forever/
Thereupon he recited the poem proclaiming aloud his
woes :

61 ' I am in great grief to-night,

the pure wind has pierced my body ;
wounded are my feet, my cheek is wan,

0 great God ! it is my due.

Last night I was in Benn Boirche,
the rain of chilly Aughty beat on me ;
to-night my limbs are racked
in the fork of a tree in pleasant Gaille.

1 have borne many a fight without cowardice
since feathers have grown on my body ;
each night and each day

more and more do I endure ill.

120 BUILK SUIBHNE

Romc[h]raidh sioc, sion nach súairc,
romt[h]uairg snechta ar Sleibh mhic Sin,
anocht romgeoghain an ghaéth
gan (raech Ghlenna Bolcáin bil.

Utmhall mh'imirce in gach iath,
domriacht bheith gan chéill gan chonn,
do Muigh Line for Muigh Li,
do Muigh Li for Life lonn

Saighim dar seghais Sleibhi Fúaid,
rigim im rúaig co Raith Móir,
dar Magh nAoi, dar Magh Luirg luinn
rigim co cuirr Cfiruachain chóir.

O Sliabh Cúa, ni turus tais,
riccim go Glais Gháille ghrinn,
o Ghlais Gháille, gidh céim cían,
riccim soir go Sliabh mBreagh mbinn.

Duairc an bhetha bheith gan teach,
as truagh an bhetha, a Chriosd chain,
sdisadh biorair bairrghlais biiain,
deogh uisge fhuair a glais ghlain.

Tuisledh do bharraibh chraobh ccrion,
imthecht aitin, gniom gan gháoi,
seachna daoine, cumaim cuan,
coimhrith re damh rúadh dar raéi.

Feis oidhche gan chluimh a ccoill
i mullack croinn dosaigh dhluith,
gan coisteacht re guth ná glór,
a mhic Dé, is mór an mhuich.

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 121

Frost and foul storm have wrung my heart,
snow has beaten on me on Sliabh mic Sin ;
to-night the wind has wounded me,
without the heather of happy Glen Bolcain.

Unsettled is my faring through each land,

it has befallen me that I am without sense or reason,

from Magh Line to Magh Li,

from Magh Li to the impetuous Liffey.

I pass over the wooded brow of Sliabh Fuaid,
in my flight I reach Rathmor,
across Magh Aoi, across bright Magh Luirg,
I reach the border of fair Cruachan.

From Sliabh Cua — no easy expedition —
I reach pleasant Glais Gaille ;
/from Glais Gaille, though a long step,
I arrive at sweet Sliabh Breagh to the east.

Wretched is the life of one homeless,
sad is the life, O fair Christ !
a meal of fresh, green-tufted watercress,
a drink of cold water from a clear stream.

Stumbling from withered tree-tops,
faring through furze — deed without falsehood —
shunning mankind, keeping company with wolves,
racing with the red stag over the field.

Sleeping of nights without covering in a wood
in the top of a thick, bushy tree,
without hearing voice or speech ;
O Son of God, great is the misery !

122 BUILE SUIBHNE

Reithim ruaig re beinn co báoth,
uathad/i rotráoth a los lu,2
dosgarus rem c[h]ruth gan clodh,
a mhic Dé, is mór an mhúich.' Mór.

62 ' Cidh fil aim atrá,'1 ar sé, ' acht cidh é Domhnall
mac Aodha nommhuirfc^ raghad dochum Dál Araidhe 7
dobhér taobh rem dháoinz'M fodhéin 7 mun beith2 cdiiWeach
an mhuilinn d'atach Christ frim im sist leimenndtfz^ do
dhenumh dhi [92 a] ni rachainn ar an aithghealtacht.'

63 Tainic taom da cheill do annsin 7 doluidh roime ar
amus a thire do thabairt taobha re a muint/r 7 do anmhuin
aca. Rofoillsig£a% do Ronán an tan sin a chiall do tuidhecht
do Suibhne 7 a bheith ag dul chum a thire d'anadh eiter a
mhuintzV, co n-ebairt Ronán : ( Aitchim-si an Righ uasal
uilechumhachtach nar fféde1 se an t-ingrinntzV/// sin do
ionnsaighe na heagailsi dia hingreim doridhisi amail dorighni
fecht n-aill 7 an t-inneachtf^/j tuc Dia fair a ndiogail a
dhimhiadha-somh for a mhuintz'r na raibe furtacht na
fóiridhin dhó dhe co roscara a anam fri a chorp, ar dháigh na
tiobhra a aithghin oile do ingrinntzV/// dia éis sár no dimigin
for an ccoimdigh nach for a mhuint/V itir.'

64 Roéisd Dia itchi Rónáin, uair antan tánic Suibhne co
medhón Sléibhe Fúaid rochobhs<?zV//z a cheim annsin co
ttárfás taidhbhsi n-iongnadh dhó annsin a medhónoidhchi
.i. méidhedhs. maoilderga 7 cinn gan cholla 7 cúig cinn
gaoisidecha, gairbhliatha, gan c/iorp, gan cholaz'nn etarra, ag
sianghail 7 ag leimnz^1 imon s\igzd/i anond 7 anall. Antan
rosiacht-somh eatarra rochúalaidh ag comhradh iad 7 is edh
adberdis : ' Geilt é,' ar an cétchenn. ' Gelt Ultach,' ar an
dara cenn. ' A lenm/iazn co maith,' ar an treas cenn. ' Gurab
fada an lenmfrain,' ar an cethramadh cenn. ' Nogo ria

61 — 2 leg. lúith 62—1 tra acht K 2 m««a mbeith K

63 — 1 \eigedh K 64 — : grechaigh L

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 123

Foolishly I race up a mountain-peak
alone, exhausted by dint of vigour;
I have parted from my faultless shape ;
O Son of God, great is the misery !'

62 ' Howbeit,' said he, 'even if Domhnallson of Aodh
were to slay me, I will go to Dal Araidhe and I will entrust
myself to my own people, and if the mill-hag had not
invoked Christ against me so that I might perform leaps for
her awhile, I would not have gone again into madness.'

63 A gleam of reason came to him then, and he set out
towards his country to entrust himself to his people and abide
with them. At that time it was revealed to Ronan that Suibhne
had recovered his reason and that he was going to his country
to abide among his folk ; whereupon Ronan said : ' I entreat
the noble, almighty King that that persecutor may not be able
to approach the church to persecute it again as he once did,
and, until his soul has parted from his body, may there be no
help or relief to him from the vengeance which God inflicted
on him in revenge for the dishonour done to His people, so
that no other like tyrant after him may inflict outrage or
dishonour on the Lord or on His people.'

64 God heard Ronan's prayer, for when Suibhne came
to the centre of Sliabh Fuaid he stopped still there, and a
strange apparition appeared to him at midnight; even trunks,
headless and red, and heads without bodies, and five brist-
ling, rough-grey heads without body or trunk among them,
screaming and leaping this way and that about the road.
When he came among them he heard them talking to each
other, and this is what they were saying: ' He is a madman,
said the first head ; ' a madman of Ulster/ said the second
head ; ' follow him well,' said the third head ; ' may the
pursuit be long/ said the fourth head ; ' until he reaches the

124 BUILE SUIBHNE

fairrge/ ar an cuigedk cenn. Noseirgheatt a n-áoinfeacht
chuige. Rostóg#zM-siumh uime rempa tar gach muine dia
aroile 7 geruó mor an glenn nobhiodh roimhe ni thaidhledh-
somh é, acht noYmgedh don bhord co aroile de 7 do bheinn
na tulchi for araill.

65 Ba lór immorro d'úathbhás, do grec[h]ach 7 golforta^,
sianghal 7 sioréighemh, sestán 7 seiseilbhe na ccenn ina
dhiaidh-siumh ga tharrachtain 7 ga t/zrentograim. Ba he
treisi 7 tinnesnai^/ze na tograma sin co lingdis na cinn da
oircnibh 7 da iosgadaid/i 7 da lesrach 7 da s\innénz'&/z 7 do
chlais a chuil, co mba samhalta leisiumh 7 bloisgbheim buinne1
dilionn do ucht airdsléz'Me seisbheimneach gach cinn for
aroile dhiobh 7 comhthuairgnech uile fri sleasaz'M crann 7
fria cennuibh carrag le lar 7 re lántalmam, co nár ansat de co
ndeachazdk re néllaz'b/i uretroma abieoir uatha.2

66 Roscarsat ris iarsin edir chenn ghabhair 7 cenn c/ion,
uair andar lais bádar sidhe a ttréchumusc na ccenn n-oile ina
lenmhuin. Ba neimhthni1 faoinneal no folúamhuin da raibhi
fair-siumh ina haithfheghtf^/z riamh roimhe sin, uair ni
thairisedh eadh lasa n-iobhadh digh co cenn tri choicthidhisi
ina dhiaidh sin, go ttarla aen na n-oidhche2 é i mullach
Sléibhe Eidhneach,a gur ro-oiris i mbárr chromn ann eadh na
hoidhche sin co madain. Roghabh ag eccaoine móir annsin ;
conadh edh roráidh: 'Olc eimh atáthar agom anocht a haithle
na caillighe 7 na ccenn ar Slíabh Fuaid,' ar se, ' acht chena as
cóir mo ueth amail atu, uair sochaz'd/ze risa ndernus fe[i"|n
olc ; ' conadh ann adbert :

67 ' Eccáointeach atú-sa anocht,

am tuirseach truagh, am taobhnocht,
da bfesdáois form na dáoine
fil damh damhna eccáoine.

65—1 baindi K 2 uathadh BK

66 — 1 tra add. K 2 aen do n-oidchibh K 3 Aidneach K

THE FREXZY OF SUIBHNE 125

sea/ said the fifth head. They rose forth together towards
him. He soared aloft in front of them (passing) from
thicket to thicket, and no matter how vast was the glen
before him he would not touch it, but would leap from one
edge of it to another, and from the summit of one hill to the
summit of another.

65 Great in sooth was the terror, the crying and wailing,
the screaming and crying aloud, the din and tumult of the
heads after him as they were clutching and eagerly pursuing
him. Such were the force and swiftness of that pursuit that
the heads leaped on his calves, his houghs, his thighs, his
shoulders, and the nape of his neck, so that the impact of
head against head, and the clashing of all against the sides
of trees and the heads of rocks, against the surface and the
earth, seemed to him like the rush of a wild torrent from the
breast of a high mountain ; nor did they cease until he escaped
from them into the filmy clouds of the sky.

66 Then they parted from him, both goat-heads and dog-
heads — for it seemed to him that these were all intermingled
with the other heads pursuing him. The wandering and flying
which he had ever before done were as nothing in comparison
with this, for he would not rest long enough to take a drink
to the end of three fortnights after that until he came one
night to the summit of Sliabh Eidhneach ; that night he
rested there on the top of a tree until morning. He then
began lamenting grievously; whereupon he said : 'Wretched
indeed is it with me to-night after the hag and the heads on
Sliabh Fuaid, and yet it is right that I should be as I am,
because of the many to whom I myself have done harm';
whereupon he said :

67 ' Mournful am I to-night,

I am sad and wretched, my side is naked,

if folk but knew me

I have cause for lament.

126 BUILE SUIBHNE

Reod, sioc, sneachta agus sion
agum thuargain tre bhith sior,
mo beith gan teini, gan tech
a mullach Sléibhe Eidhneach.

Teach mór agum is ben mhaith,
adeired/i each robsum flaith,
as é a[s] ruire 'sas ri
antí domrad1 i neimhthni. [92 b]

Cidh 'ma ttuc Dia me asan ccath
nach bfrith ann neach dom mharbadh,
suil dobheinn eing a n-eing
agus cailleach an mhuilinn ?

Cailleach an mhuilinn 'ga toigh,
mallacht Crist ar a hanmoin,
mairg dorad taobh risin ccrin,
mairg da ttaratt a choinmhir.

Robhaoi Loingseachán ar m'eing
tre gach dithreabh2 a nEirinn,
go romchealg chuigi don chraoibh
tan adfett ég mo mtfcáoimh.

Domrad-sa leis 'san teach mor,
ait a mbáoi an slúagh ac comhól,
as romc[h]eng#/ thiar 'san tseit
vghaidh d'ag/iazd/i rem chétseirc.

Sluagh an toighe gan táire
ag cluithe is ag gáire,
meisi com muintzV is toigh
ag smd\aigh, ag lemendoigh.

67 — 1 romradh K 2 dithreadh BK

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 12'

Frost, ice, snow, and storm,

forever scourging me,

I without fire, without house,

on the summit of Sliabh Eidhneach.

I have a mansion and a good wife,
everyone would say that I was a prince ;
'tis He who is Lord and King
has wrought my downfall.

Wherefore did God rescue me from the battle
that no one was found there to slay me,
rather than that I should go step by step
with the hag of the mill ?

The hag of the mill at her house,

Christ's curse on her soul !

woe whosoever has trusted the hag !

woe to whom she has given his dog's portion !

Loingseachan was on my track
throughout every wilderness in Erin,
until he lured me from the tree
what time he related my son's death.

He carried me into the great house
wherein the host was feasting,
and bound me behind in the house (?)
face to face with my first love.

The people of the house without reproach
playing games and laughing ;
I and my folk in the house
leaping and jumping.

128 BUILE SUIBHNE

Munbadh caillech in tighi
ni rachainn ar aithmhire,
ro-ataigh rium3 Crist do nimh
ar sist mbig do \éimeandaig/í.

Rolinguis leim no dhá leim
ar an athair nemhdha féin,
adbert an chaillech 'ga toigh
co Ymgied/i fé[i]n léim amhlaidh.

Rolinges leim oile amach
dar fiormhullach na cathrach,
lúaithi ina deathach tre theach
an tea.thad/i rug an chailleach.

Rosirsium Eire uile
o Thigh Duinn co Tráigh Ruire,
otá an Traig co Benna. mBrain,
nir c^uires diom an chailleach.

Eiter mhagh is mhóin is leirg
dhiom nir chuires an crúaidhleidhb,
gur Ymgedh lem an leim ngle
do bheinn Dúine Sobhairce.

Ar sin rolinges fon dun
agus nochar ceim ar ccúl,
rugus isin bfairrge amach,
rosfágbhus thall an chailleach.

Iarsin tangadar 'san trdlgh
muint^r dhiabhail 'na comhdháil
agus roluaidhset a corp,
mairg tír nErenn 'nar hadnocht.

67—3 fliom K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 129

Were it not for the hag of the house,
I would not have gone again into madness ;
she besought me by Christ of Heaven
to leap for her a little while.

I leaped a leap or two

for the sake of the Heavenly Father Himself;

the hag at her house said

that even so could she herself leap.

Once more I leaped out
over the top of the fortress ;
swifter than smoke through a house
was the flight of the hag.

We wandered through all Erin,
from Teach Duinn to Traigh Ruire,
from Traigh Ruire to Benna Brain,
but the hag I did not elude.

Through plain and bog and hillside
I escaped not from the slattern
until she leaped with me the famous leap
to the summit of Dun Sobairce.

Thereafter I leaped down the dun,
nor did I step back,
I went out into the sea,
yonder I left the hag.

There came then to the strand
the devil's crew to meet her,
and they bore away her body ;
woe to the land of Erin in which it was buried !
K

130 BUILE SUIBHNE

Feacht roluighes ar1 Slíabh Fuaid
i n-oidhchi duib dhorchi dhuairc,
co bfaca coig cinn 'san ccnoc
arna n-oirleach inn-áonport.5

Adubhairt cenn dibh 'na ruth,
rium-sa roba garb an guth.
1 geilt Ultach, \entar libh dhe,
co ría romhaibh i bfairrge.'

Rorethus rompa an rod
is nir fuirmhess troig ar fód,G
eiter chenn gabhair is con,
ann roghabhsat malloghadh.

Cóir cia rogheibhinn-si olc,
mor n-oidhchi rolinges loch,
mór do rosgaibh ban mbáidhe
doradus fo eccaoine.' Ecc.

68 Aroile aimsir do Suibhne i Luachair Dheadhadh for a
bhaeithreimennaibh baoisi ; luid assidhén ina réimimh roi-
ghealtachta go ranic Fiodh glansrot[h]ach gégáloinn Gaible.
Báoi bliadhain an du sin 7 as edh fa bíadh dhó frisin
mbliadhoin sin .i. caor[a] croiderga cruandatha cuilinn 7
dercoin darach dubhdhuinne 7 deogh d'uisci na Gabhla, .i. an
abhann on ainmnight/zzV an fiodh, conadh ann roghabh tuirsi
trom 7 dobrón derbháir antí Suibhni i bforcenn na ré sin tre
olcus a bhethadh, conadh ann adbert an laoidh mbig si :

69 ' Ochán, as meisi Suibhne,
mo chorpán as lor mairbhe,
gan ceol, gan codladh choidhche
acht osnadh ghaoit[h]e gairbe.

67 — 4 roluidhes tar K 5 cennport K 6 et fuiimess troi<di lar i'od K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 131

Once as I passed over Sliabh Fuaid
on a dark, black, gloomy night,
on the hill I beheld five heads,
having been cut off in one place.

Said one of them of a sudden —
harsh was the voice to me —
1 a madman of Ulster, follow him
so that you drive him before you to the sea."

I sped before them along the path
and I set not foot on ground ;
both goat-head and dog-head
then began to curse.

Tis right that I should get harm ;
many a night have I leaped a lake,
many eyes of fond women
have I made weep.'

68 On a certain occasion Suibhne happened to be in
Luachair Deaghaidh on his wild career of folly; he went
thence in his course of madness until he reached Fiodh
Gaibhle of clear streams and beautiful branches. In that
place he remained a year and during that year his food
consisted of blood-red, saffron holly-berries and dark-brown
acorns, and a drink of water from the Gabhal, that is, the
river from which the wood is named. At the end of that
time deep grief and heavy sorrow took hold of Suibhne there
because of the wretchedness of his life ; whereupon he uttered
this little poem :

69 ' I am Suibhne, alas !

my wretched body is utterly dead,
evermore without music, without sleep,
save the soughing of the rude gale.

K2

132 BUILE SUIBHNE

Tanacc o Luachair Dheaghadh
co bruachaibh Feadha Gaibhle,
as í mo chuid, ni cheilim,
caora eidhinn, mes dairbhre.

Bliadhain dhamh isin mbeinn-si
isin deilbh-si ina bfuilim
gan biadh do dhul 'san corp-sa
acht caora corcra cuilinn.

As me geilt Glinni Bolcáin,

ni bhiu-sa ag ceilt mo dhochnáidh,1

tairnicc anocht mo láthar,

ni'damh nach ádhbbar ocháin. Ochán.

70 [93 a] Dorala dho-somh laithe n-áon techt co Druim
Iaroinn i Connachtaibh co rochaith biorar barrghlas na cilli
ar brú na tiobratta tonnghlaisi 7 ro-ibh ni dia huisge ina
dheghaidh. Ro-eirigh cleirech amach asin ecclais 7 roghabh
tnuth 7 trenformud frisin ngeilt é im thomhailt an tuara
rothoimhleadh feisin 7 adbert gurbho socair sadal robhaoi
Suibhne isin iubardhos iar mbuing1 a phroinne de budhdhéin.
1 Truagh eimh sin, a chléirigh,' ar Suibhne, ' uair as meisi dúil
as ansádhaile 7 ansocra dogheibh a betha isin domun daigh
ni thig tinneabhr#a% na toirrchim ar mo suilibh ar úaman
mo mharbhtha ; deithbhir són, dáigh is cuma noraghainn ar
gealtacht ría slógaib na c^inne d'fhaicsin dom fhobairt a
n-aoinfecht 7 re foluamain an dreolláin a áonar ; et a Dhé
neimhe, a chleirigh/ ar Suibhne, ' nach bfuili-si im riocht-sa
7 meisi isin chongaibh crabaidk ittáoi-si, noco n-aithnicch<?d^
ih'a.\gnead/z 7 th'inntinn nach gnáth dom aithghin-si no dom
ionnsamail bheith co soinmech febh adbeiri-si'; conadh annsin
roghabh an cléirech tosach na laoidhe 7 rofhreagair Suibhne
a deiredh, mar so :

69—1 clhochnaidh, altered later to dochráidh K
70 — 1 muin<i K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 133

I have come from Luachair Deaghaidh
to the border of Fiodh Gaibhle,
this is my fare — I hide it not —
ivy-berries, oak-mast.

A year have I been on the mountain
in this form in which I am,
without food going into my body
save crimson holly-berries.

The madman of Glen Bolcain am I,
I shall not hide my gnawing grief;
to-night my vigour has come to an end,
not to me is there no cause for grief.'

70 One day it happened that he went to Druim Iarainn in
Connacht where he eat green -topped watercress of the church
by the brink of the green-flecked well and he drank some of
its water after. A cleric came out of the church and he was
indignant and resentful towards the madman for eating the
food which he himself used to eat, and he said that it was
happy and contented Suibhne was in the yew-tree after
taking his meal from himself. ' Sad in sooth is that (saying],
O cleric/ said Suibhne, ' for I am the most discontented and
unhappy creature in the world, for neither rest nor slumber
comes on my eyes for fear of my being slain. That is natural,
because I would equally go into madness at seeing the united
hosts of the universe threatening me as at the flight of
a single wren ; and, O God of Heaven ! cleric,' said Suibhne,
* that you are not in my place and I in the state of devotion
in which you are, so that your mind and understanding
might recognise that it is not usual for the like of me or for
my counterpart to be happy as you say'; whereupon the
cleric recited the beginning of the poem and Suibhne
responded (by reciting) the end, as follows :

134 BUILE SUIBHNE

71 [An clerech:] 'Sadha[i]l sin, a gealtagáin,
a mbarr na geige iubair
do leathtáobh mo mennatáin,1
docait[h]is mo c[h]uid biolair.

[Suibhne :] Ni sadha[i]l mo bhetha-sa,
a chléirigh Droma hlaroind,
ata do mhéd m'eagla-sa
suil dom súilibh nach iadhaim.

Fir domhain da bfaicinn-si
chugum, a f hir an cheóláin,
is comhmór dotheithfinn-si3
riu is re heitil an dreolláin.

Truagh gan tusa im inmhe-si,

is meisi im chléirech chrábatdh,

no co ttuiged/i th'inntinn-si

nach cerd geilte bez'th sáda[i]l.' Sádail.

72 Aroile laithe do Suibhne ag cuartugudh criche Connacht
go hudmhall anbhsaidh go ttarla é fo dheoidh go hAll
[Fhjarannáin a tTír Fhíachrach Mhuaidhe; glenn aloinn eisi-
dhén, sruth aloinn sriobhúaine ag teibersain1 co tinnesnach
frisin all2 anúas 7 bennachad/i ann ina rabadar sénadh náomh 7
fíreó[i]n co hiomdha iolarrdha, et ba hiomdha ann ámh crann
caomhaloinn co ttoirthz^/z troma tóthachtacha isin all hisin.
Ba hiomda ann eimh eidheann fiorchluthmar 7 aball cenntrom
ag cromadh co talma in le troma a torm'd/i, ba cuma nobhíttís
isin allt sin ois allta 7 miola muighe 7 muca mórthroma,
ba hiomdha im?uorro rón roiremhar rochodlad/i ann tar éis
techt o muir motr anall isin all2 sin. Rosanntazg/i Suibhne
co mor an t-ionadh sin, go roghabh for adhmoladh 7 ag
tabhairt a thúarusgbhála os aird ; go ndébairt an laoidh-si :

71 — 1 bennatáin BK 2 an add K 3 doteichfinn-si K

72—1 tepersin K 2 aill K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHXE 135

71 The cleric: 'Thou art at ease, madman,

on the top of the yew-branch

beside my little abode,

thou hast eaten my watercress.

Suibhne : My life is not one of ease,

0 cleric of Druim Iarainn,
such is my fear

that I do not close an eye.

If I were to see the men of the world
coming to me, O man of the bell,

1 would flee from them as fast
as at the flight of a wren.

Alas ! that thou art not in my place
and I a devout cleric,
so that thy mind might grasp
that it is not the accomplishment of a madman
to be at ease.'

72 One day as Suibhne was wandering aimlessly and
restlessly through Connacht he came at last to All
Fharannain in Tir Fhiachrach Mhuaide ; a delightful valley
with a beautiful green-streamed river dropping swiftly down
the cliff and a blessed place there wherein was a synod of
saints and multitudes of righteous folk. Numerous too on that
cliff were the beautiful trees, heavy and rich with fruits ;
numerous also the well-sheltered ivy-trees and heavy-
topped apple-trees bending to the ground with the weight of
their fruit ; wild deer and hares and great, heavy swine were
there also, likewise many fat seals that used to sleep on that
cliff, after coming from the main beyond. Suibhne greatly
coveted that place and he began praising and describing it
aloud ; whereupon he uttered this lay :

136 BUILE SUIBHXE

73 ' All [Fh]arannain, adhbha náomh,
co n-iomad call1 caomh is cnúas,
uisge tinnesnach can tess
ag snige2 re a chness anuas.

As iomdha ann eidhnech ghlass
agus meass re mberar3 geall
agus abhall chenntrom chaomh
ag filhW/j a craobh fa cheann.

Imdha broc ag dol fa a dhion,
ann is miol inuighe nach mall,
is édan riow/tanach4 róin
ag techt on muir moir anall.

Me Suibhne mac Colmáin chóir,
mor n-oidhchi reoidh bhim co fann,
romt/zrwaill Rónán do Dr^im Gess,5
codlaim fa c//;7zoibh 'san ess tall.' All.

74^Tainic Suibhne roime fo dheóidh conuige an baile i
raibhe Moling .i. Teach Moling. Ba hisin tan sin roboi
psaltair Chaoimhghin i ffiadnuise Moling aga dénamh do
lucht an aiceapta. [93 b] Tainic iarumh Suibhne for sratth
na tioprat1 i fiadhnuisi an chléirigh 7 rogab ag ithe biorair.
'As moch-\ongad/i sin, a ghealtagáin,' ar an cléirech ; conadh
ann adbert Moling 7 rofreagair Suibhne é :

75 [Moling :] Mochthráth1 sin, a ghealtagáin,
re ceileabhradh cóir.
[Suibhne :] Gidh moch2 leat-sa, a chlérecháin,3
tanic tert ag Róimh.

73—1 crann K 2 snaoidhe K 3 le a mberar K 4 roinnteach K

5 do Drwim Gess K ; domhuin B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 137

73 ' Cliff of Farannan, abode of saints,
with many fair hazels and nuts,
swift cold water
rushing down its side.

Many green ivy-trees are there
and mast such as is prized,
and fair, heavy-topped apple-trees
bending their branches.

Many badgers going under its shelter
and fleet hares too,
and . . . brows of seals
coming hither from the main.

I am Suibhne son of upright Colman,
many a frosty night have I been feeble ;
Ronan of Druim Gess has outraged me,
I sleep 'neath a tree at yonder waterfall.'

74 At length Suibhne came along to the place where
Moling was, even Teach Moling. The psalter of Kevin
was at the time in front of Moling as he was reading it to
the students. In the cleric's presence Suibhne then came
to the brink of the fountain and began to eat watercress.
' O mad one, that is eating early/ said the cleric ; whereupon
Moling spoke and Suibhne answered him :

75 Moling : ' An early hour is it, thou madman,

for due celebration.
Suibhne : Though to thee, cleric, it may seem early,
terce has come in Rome.

74 — i sic K ; tioprait B

75 — i sic K ; Muchthrath B 2 sic K ; much B 3 cleirigain K

138 BUILE SUIBHXE

[Moling:] Ga fios duit-si, a ghealtagáin,
cuin tig tert ag Róimb ?

[Suibhne :] Fios tig dhamh om Thigerna
gach madain 's gach nóin.

~ Moling :] Innis tre run ráitsighe

sgela Fiadhat finn.
[Suibhne:] Agut-sa ata an fháitsine

masa thú Moling.

[Moling:] Cidh tuc duit-si mh'aithni-si,
a gheilt ghníomach ghér ?

[Suibhne:] Minic me ar an fhaith[ch]i4-si
o rosaoi mo chéill.

[Moling:] Cidh na tairni a n-aonbhaili,
a mhic Colmáin Chúair ?

[Suibhne :] Ferr learn bheith a n-áonsuidhe
isin mbeathaidh bhuain.

[Moling :] A t/zr&aigh, an ria t'anam-sa
ifrinn aidhbhle dos ?

[Suibhne :] Ni thabhair Dia orum-sa
pian acht bheith gan fhos.

[Moling:] Glúais alle go ttormalla
cuid bhus milis lat.

[Suibhne :] Dá fhestá-sa, a chléirecháin,
doilghe bheith gan bhrat.

[Moling:] Béra-sa mo chochlán-sa

no béra mo leann.
[Suibhne :] Aniú gidh im c[h]rochbán5-sa

robá uair budh ferr.

Í5— 4 faithi B ; faitche K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 139

Moling : How dost thou know, mad one,

when terce comes in Rome ?
Suibhne : Knowledge comes to me from my Lord

each morn and each eve.

Moling : Relate through the mystery of speech

tidings of the fair Lord.
Suibhne : With thee is the (gift of) prophecy

if thou art Moling.

Moling : How dost thou know me,

thou toiling, cunning madman ?

Suibhne : Often have I been upon this green
since my reason was overthrown.

Moling : Why dost thou not settle in one place,

thou son of Colman Cuar ?
Suibhne : I had rather be in one seat

in life everlasting.

Moling : Miserable one, will thy soul reach

hell with vastness of slime ?
Suibhne : God inflicts no pain on me

save being without rest.

Moling : Move hither that thou mayest eat

what thou deemest sweet.
Suibhne: If you but knew, cleric,

more grievous is it to be without a cloak.

Moling : Thou shalt take my cowl

or thou shalt take my smock.

Suibhne : Though to-day I am ghastly,

there was a time when it was better.

140 BUILE SUIBHNE

[Moling :] An tu an Suibhne sgáthaighthe

tainic a cath Roth ?
[Suibhne :] Mása mé, ní ráthaighthe

cidh nomheilinn6 moch.

[Moling :] Canas tárla mh'aithni-si

duit, a ghealtáin ghéir?
[Suibhne :] Meinic mé ar an fhaithchi-si7

got fheithemh8 do chéin.

[Moling :] Aluinn duille an liubhair-si,
psaltair Cháoimhghin cháidh.

[Suibhne :] Aille duille mh'iubhair-si
i nGlinn Bolcáin báin.

[Moling :] Nach suairc leat-sa an relec-sa

ba scoil sciomhda dath?
[Suibhne :] Nirbh ansuarca mh'oirecht-sa

madain ar Muigh Rath.

[Moling :] Ragat-sa do cheileabhradh

go Glais Chille Cró.
[Suibhne :] Lingfet-sa crann eidhinnghl<2;z,

lem ard, is badh mó.

[Moling:] Saothrach dhamh 'san eglais-[s]i

ar cinn tren is truagh.
[Suibhne :] Saothrazg/ie mo leabat'd/i-si

i mBeinn Fhaibhni fhúar.

[Moling :] Cáit i ttig do9 saogal-sa,

in a ccill no i loch ?
[Suibhne :] Aeghaire dot aeghairibh'o

nommharbhann go moch.' Muchthrath.

75—6 nomelinn K 7 sic K ; faithi-si B 8 go teithemh B ; got

fheithiomh K 9 sic K ; mo B 10 sic K ; aedhaiie dot aedhairibh B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE

Moling: Art thou the dreaded Suibhne

who came from the battle of Rath ?

Suihhne : If I am, 'tis not to be guaranteed
what I might eat at early morn.

Moling : Whence has come my recognition,
cunning madman, to thee?

Suibhne: Often am I upon this green
watching thee from afar.

141

.Mol

incr

Delightful is the leaf of this book,
the psalter of holy Kevin.
Suibhne : More delightful is a leaf of my yew
in happy Glen Bolcain.

Moling: Dost thou not deem this churchyard pleasant
with its school of beautiful colours ?

Suibhne : Not more unpleasant was my muster
the morning at Magh Rath.

Moling : I will go for celebration

to Glais Cille Cro.
Suibhne : I will leap a fresh ivy-bush

a high leap, and it will be a greater feat.

Moling : Wearisome is it to me in this church
waiting on the strong and weak.

Suibhne : More wearisome is my couch
in chilly Benn Faibhni.

Moling : Where comes thy life's end,
in church or lake ?

Suibhne : A herd of thine

will slay me at early morn/

142 BUILE SUIBHNE

76 ' As mochen éimh do t[h]echt sonn, a Suibhne,' ar
Moling, ' ar atá a ndán duit bheith annso 7 do sáogal do
thecht ann, do sgéla 7 th' imthechta d' fhágbáil sunn 7
th' adhnacal1 i reilicc fíreóin, 7 naisgim-si fort/ ar Moling,
' gidh mor sire2 gach láoi d' Erinn techt gacha hespurtan8
chugum-sa go rosgriobh//^r do sgéla Hum.'

77 Iomthúsa na geilte iarsin ; robhaoi risin mbliadhain
sin ag tathaigh/i//z Moling. Rosoighed/i lá n-ann co hlnnis
Bó Finni i n-iarthar Chonnacht, lá oile co hEss rocháoin
Rúaidh, lá oile co Slíabh mínáluinn Mis, lá oile go Benda
biothfhuara Boirche ; gidbé diobh sin dosoighed/i gach láoi
nofritháiW// a n-espurtain gach n-oidhche co Teach Moling.
Ro-ordaigh Moling proinn mbig dhó frisin ré sin, doigh
adubairt re bhanchoig ni do bhleaghan na mbó do thabairt
do. Muirghil a hainm-sidhe, as í ba ben do Mhungán do
mhuicidhi Moling. Ba hi méd na proinni sin1 dobheir^//
an bhen dó .i. nodhingé^/z a sail conuige a hadhbronn isin
mbualtrach fa coimhnesa dhi 7 nofagbadk a lán lemnachta
ann do Suibhne. Dothig^///-somh co faiteach forechair i
n-eatarfhasach na buaiW// do ibhe an bhainne sin.1

78 Tarla iomchaineadh a.dhazg/z [94 a] ann eitir Mhuirghil
7 mhnáoi oile isin mbuaikV//z, co n-ebert an bhen eile : ' As
mesa duit-si,' ar si, ' nach tocha leat xfer eile 7 fós nach ferr
let1 th' fer féin dot riachtain ina an gheilt ata got thath^/nd
risin mbliaduin-si anall.'2 Atchúala siúr an bhúachalla anni
sin 7 gidhedh ni ro-innis ni dhe co bfacaid/i Muirghil isin
madtfzV/ arnabhárach ag dul d' iodnacal an bhainne go Suibhne
conuige an mbualtrach ba comhfhogus don fhál i raibhe.
O'dchonnairc siúr an bhuachalla sin tainic asteach 7 atbert re
a bráthair : ' Atá do bhen isin ffál sin thoir ag fer oile, a
mheathaigk mhiodhlaochda/ ar si. Roghabh éd an buachaill
ag a chloistecht sin, 7 roeirigh go hobonn innireach 7 tZYraidh
a láimh leathga robói for alchuing astigh 7 téit for amus na

76 — 1 tiodnacal K 2 sirtisi (.i. do siubhal) L 3 tair gach esparta L
77—1 sic K; isin B 78— 1-1 om. K 2 all K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 143

76 'Welcome in sooth is your coming here, Suibhne,' said
Moling, ' for it is destined for you to be here and to end your
life here ; to leave here your history and adventures, and
to be buried in a churchyard of righteous folk ; and I bind
you,' said Moling, ' that however much of Ireland you may
travel each day, you will come to me each evening so that I
may write your history.'

77 Thereafter during that year the madman was visiting
Moling. One day he would go to Innis Bo Finne in west
Connacht, another day to delightful Eas Ruaidh, another
day to smooth, beautiful Sliabh Mis, another day to ever-
chilly Benn Boirche, but go where he would each day, he
would attend at vespers each night at Teach Moling. Moling
ordered a collation for him for that hour, for he told his cook
to give him some of each day's milking. Muirghil was her
name ; she was wife of Mongan, swineherd to Moling. This
was the extent of the meal the woman used to give him: she
used to thrust her heel up to her ankle in the cowdung
nearest her and leave the full of it of new milk there for
Suibhne. He used to come cautiously and carefully into the
vacant portion of the milking yard to drink the milk.

78 One night a dispute arose between Muirgil and
another woman in the milking enclosure, whereupon the
latter said : ' the worse is it for you/ said she, ' that another
man is not more welcome to you, and yet that you do not
prefer your own husband to come to you than the madman
who is visiting you for the past year.' The herd's sister
hearkened to that ; nevertheless she mentioned nothing
about it until she saw Muirgil on the morrow morning going
to leave the milk for Suibhne in the cowdung near the hedge
at which he was. The herd's sister seeing that, came in and
said to her brother: 'You cowardly creature, your wife is in
yonder hedge with another man,' said she. The herd hearing
that became jealous, and he rose suddenly and angrily and
seized a spear that was within on a rack and made for the

144 BUILE SUIBHNE

geilte. As amhlaidh robhui an geilt 7 a tháobh ris 7 é 'na
luidhe agcaithemh a phroinne asin mbúaltrach. Tuc dono an
buachaill sa.dhud/1 don leathgha asa láimh fair, gur rosgon*
a n-odhar a chighe clé antí Suibhne, gur gabh urrainn trid ar
mbrisedh a droma ar dhó ann. Adberat* foirenn conadh benn
chongna fiadha ro-innell an búachaill fáoi, áit a n-ibhedh
a dhigh5 asan mbúalltrach, co tseth-somh furri, conadh
amhlaidh fuair bás.

79 As annsin robhaoi Enna mac Bracá'm1 ag búain chluig
na prímhi i ndorus na reilge2 co bfaca an t-eacht dorinnedha
ann ; go n-ébairt an laoidh :

80 ' Truagh sin, a mhucaidh Moling,
dorighnis gniomh talchair1 tinn,
mairg domharb a los a neirt
an righ, an [n]áomh, an náomhgheilt.

Bidh olc dígeann bhias duit de,
tocht fo dheóidh gan aithrighe,
2biaidh th' anam ar seilbh deamhain,
biadh do chorp inn-ethannaidh.2

Bidh ionann ionadh ar nimh
dhamh-sa is do-somh, a fhir,3
gebhthar psailm ag lucht áoine
for an main an fhioraoidhe.

Robadh righ, robadh geilt glan,

rop fher oirnighe úasal,

ag sin a lighe, lith ngle,

dobhris mo chroidhe a thruaighe.' Trúagh.

78 — 3 rosguinn 4 atberat K 5 sic K ; dhi B

79 — 1 Breacain K 2 reilicce K 3 sic K ; itchi mor (?) bocht do

dorinnedh B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 145

madman. The madman's side was towards him as he was
lying clown eating his meal out of the cowdung. The herd
made a thrust of the spear out of his hand at Suibhne and
wounded him in the nipple of his left breast, so that the
point went through him, breaking his back in two. (Some
say that it is the point of a deer's horn the herd had
placed under him in the spot where he used to take his
drink out of the cowdung, that he fell on it and so met his
death )

79 Enna Mac Bracain was then sounding the bell for
prime at the door of the churchyard and he saw the deed
that was done there ; whereupon he uttered the lay :

80 ' Sad is that, O swineherd of Moling,
thou hast wrought a wilful, sorry deed,
woe to him who has slain by dint of his strength
the king, the saint, the saintly madman.

Evil to thee will be the outcome therefrom —
going at last without repentance —
thy soul will be in the devil's keeping,
thy body will be . . .

In Heaven the same will be the place
for me and for him, O man,
psalms will be sung by fasting folk
for the soul of the true guest.

He was a king, he was a madman,
a man illustrious, noble, was he ;
there is his grave — bright festival —
pity for him has rent my heart.'

80 — i sic K ; tulchair B 2-2 sic K ; om. B, the ms. has ethanntan^/

but this would be a syllable too long, ? leg. ethannaidh or etarnaigh. 3 sic K ;
ar nimh B

L

146 BUILE SUIBHNE

81 Ro-iomptf Enna anonn go ro-innis do Mholing Suibhne
do mharbadh do Mhongán mucaidhe Moling. Ro-eirigh
Moling fo chétóir1 cona c[h]leirchibh imalle fris co hairm ina
raibhe Suibhne 7 ro-adaimh Suibhne a choire 7 a choibhsena2
do Mholing 7 rothóchaith corp Crist 7 rofailtigh fri Dia a
airittin 7 rohongadh iarum lasna cléirchibh.3

82 Tainic an búachaill dia saigi'd. ' As dúairc an gniomh
dorighnis, a bhuachaill,' ar Suibhne, ' .i. mo mharbadh-sa
gan chionaz'd/z, úair ní fhédaim-si festa teichedh fon fifál
dobhithin na gona doradais form.' ' Da ffeasainn-si co
mbadh tu nobheth ann,' ar an buachaill, * nitgonfuinn itir
gidh mor dom aimhles doghénta.'1 ' Dar Criosd, a dhuine,'
ar sé, ' ni dhernus-sa th' aimhlessa 2ar áonchor ar bioth2
amail saoile ina aimhles duine eile ar druim dhomhain o
dochuir Dia ar gealtacht mé 7 robadh beg a dhioghbhail
duit-si mo bheth a ffal annso 7 bainne beg d' idighatl ar Dia
dhamh3 on mnaoi ucchat, et ni thiubhrainn taobhfrit mnáoi-si
ina fri mnáoi n-oile ar talmhain gona thoirthaibh.' [94 b]
' Mallacht Crist ort, a bhuachaill,' ar Moling, ' as olc an
gniomh dorighnis, goirde saogail duit abhus 7 ifrenn thall ar
dhenamh an gniomha dorónais.'4 ' Ni hiuil bá do sodham
damh-sa,' ar Suibhne, ' uair tangadar bur ccealga im thimchell
7 bidh im marb-sa don guin doradad/i form.' ' Ragaidh éric
duit ann,' ar Moling, ' i. comhaitte5 frium-sa for nimh dhuit,'
7 roráidhset6 an laoidh-si eatura ina ttriur .i. Suibhne, Mongán
7 Moling:

83 [Suibhne :] ' Dorignis gniom, nach suairc sin,
a bhuachaill Moling Luochair,
nocha nfédoim dul fon fhál
don ghuin romgon do dhubhlámh.

81 — t fochethair B ; focetoir K 2 chomhéiccns^ K 3 a add. B

82— isicK.; dodhéntá B 2-2 om. K 3 w«. K 4 dorighnis K

5 comfhaide K 6 doraidhset K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 147

81 Enna turned back and told Moling that Suibhne had
been slain by his swineherd Mongan. Moling at once set out
accompanied by his clerics to the place where Suibhne was,
and Suibhne acknowledged his faults and (made) his confession
to Moling and he partook of Christ's body and thanked God
for having received it, and he was anointed afterwards by the
clerics.

82 The herd came up to him. ' Dour is the deed you
have done, O herd,' said Suibhne, ' even to slay me, guiltless,
for henceforth I cannot escape through the hedge because of
the wound you have dealt me.' ' If I had known that it was
you were there,' said the herd, ' I would not have wounded you
however much you may have injured me.' 'By Christ, man !'
said he, ' I have done you no injury whatever as you think,
nor injury to anyone else on the ridge of the world since God
sent me to madness, and of small account should be the harm
to you through my being in the hedge here and getting a
little milk for God's sake from yonder woman. And I would
not trust myself with your wife nor with any other woman
for the earth and its fruits.' ' Christ's curse on you, O
herd ! ' said Moling. ' Evil is the deed you have done,
short be your span of life here and hell beyond, because
of the deed you have done.' ' There is no good to me
therefrom,' said Suibhne, ' for your wiles have compassed
me and I shall be dead from the wound that has been dealt
me.' ' You will get an eric for it/ said Moling, ' even that
you be in Heaven as long as I shall be ' ; and the three
uttered this lay between them, that is, Suibhne, Mongan,
and Moling :

83 Suibhne: 'Not pleasant is the deed thou hast done,

0 herd of Moling Luachair,

1 cannot go through the hedge

for the wound thy black hand has dealt me.
L2

148 BUILE SUIBHNE

[Mongan :] Abair frium mád cluine, a fhir,
cuich thú, a duine, go deimhin ?

[Suibhne :] As mé Suibhne Geilt gan oil,
a buac[h]aill Moling Lúachair.

[Mongan :] Da bfessain, a Suibhne seing,
a dhuine, dia nadaithninn1
nocha ttiubrainn gái red2 chnes
ge atchifinn thu dom aimhleas.3

[Suibhne :] Nocha dernus thiar na thoir

aimhleas duine ar druim dhomhain
o domrad Crist om thir theinn
ar gealtacht ar fhud Eirinn.

[Mongan :] Ro-innis, nocha beug dhamh,

inghean mh'athar 'smo mháthar
th' fághbháil isin fhál sin thoir
ag mo mhnáoi fein ar madain.

[Suibhne :] Nir choir dhuit a chreidemh sin
co bfionnta fein a dheimhin,
mairg tainig dom ghuin-si a le
nogo bhfaictis do suile.

Ge nobheinn a fál i ffál,
robadh beag dhuit a dhioghbhal
ge dobhéradh ben damh digh
do bainne bhiucc a n-almsoin.

[Mongan :] Da ffesainn-si 'na bhfuil de,

do ghuin tréd chích, tret chroidhe,
go bráth nitgonfad/i mo láimh,
a Suibhne Ghleanna Bolcáin.

83 — i notaithninn K 2 tred K 3 tu ag deanam m'aimhleas K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE

149

Mongan : Speak to me if thou hearest,
who art thou in truth, man ?

Suibhne : Suibhne Geilt without reproach am I,
O herd of Molinsr Luachair.

Mongan

Suibhne

If I but knew, O slender Suibhne,

0 man, if I could have recognised thee,

1 would not have thrust a spear against thy

skin
though I had seen thee harm me.

East or west I have not done

harm to one on the world's ridge

since Christ has brought me from my valiant

land
in madness throughout Erin.

Mongan

The daughter of my father and my mother
related — 'twas no trifle to me —
how she found thee in yonder hedge
with my own wife at morn.

Suibhne: It was not right of thee to credit that
until thou hadst learnt its certainty,
alas that thou shouldst come hither to slay me
until thine eyes had seen !

Though I should be from hedge to hedge,
its harm were a trifle to thee,
though a woman should give me to drink
a little milk as alms.

Mongan:

If I but knew what comes of it,
from wounding thee through breast and heart,
till Doom my hand would not wound thee,
O Suibhne of Glen Bolcain.

150 BUILE SUIBHNE

[Suibhne :] Ge romgonais isin fhál

nocha ndernus do thochrádh,

ni thiubhrainn taobh rét mhnáoi ndil

ar taXraatn gona thorthaibh.

Mairg tainic at[h]aidh o t[h]oigh
chuccatt, a Mholing Lúachair,
nocha leicc dhamh dol fon choill
an guin romgon do bhuachoill.

[Moling :] Mallacht Crist docum gach cloinn
ort, ar Moling re a bhúachoil,
tre ed4 i ccridhe do chnis,
as truagh an gniomh dorighnis.

O dorighnis gniomh n-úathmar,
atbert Moling re a bhuachuil,
raghaidh dhuit-si dar a chenn
goirde saoghail is ifreann.

[Suibhne :] Ge dognéi-si dioghal5 dhe
a Mholing, ni beó meisi,
nochan fhuil mo chabair ann,
tainig bar ccealg im t[h]imcheall.

[Moling:] Raghaidh éruic dhuit-si ind,
ar Moling Lúachra, lúaidhim,
comhaitte6 friom-sa for nimh
dhuit-si, a Suibhne, on Ardchoimdidh. [95a]

[Mongan :] Bidh maith dhuit-si, a Suibhne seing,
thusa ar nemh, ar an búacheill,
ni hionann as meisi sunn,
gan nemh, gan soeghal agum.

83 — 4 éd K 5 dioghbhail K 6 comaitte K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE

151

Suibhne: Though thou hast wounded me in the hedge,
I have not done thee ill ;
I would not trust in thine own wife
for the earth and its fruits.

Alas for him who has come for a while from

home
to thee, O Moling Luachair,
the wound thy herd has dealt me
stays me from wandering through the woods.

Moling : The curse of Christ who hath created everyone
on thee, said Moling to his herd,
sorry is the deed thou hast done
through envy in thine heart.

Since thou hast done a dread deed,
said Moling to his herd,
thou wilt get in return for it
a short span of life and hell.

Suibhne: Though thou mayest avenge it,
O Moling, I shall be no more ;
no relief for me is it,
your treachery has compassed me.

Moling : Thou shalt get an eric for it,

said Moling Luachair, I avow ;

thou shalt be in Heaven as long as I shall be

by the will of the great Lord, O Suibhne.

Mongan

It will be well with thee, O slender Suibhne,

thou in Heaven, said the herd,

not so with me here,

without Heaven, without my life's span.

152 BUILE SUIBHNE

[Suibhne:] Ba binne Hum robháoi tan

na comhradh ciúin na muintear,
bheith ice luthmhairecht im linn
cuchairecht fhéráinn7-eidhinn.

Ba binne Hum robháoi tan
na gut[h] cluigin im fharradh,
ceileabhradh an luin don bheinn
is dordán doimh ar doininn.

Ba binne Hum robháoi8 tan
na guth mná aille im fharradh,
guth circe fráoich an tsléibhe
do cluinsin im iarmhéirghe.

Ba binne Hum robháoi tan
donálach na gcon alia,
ina guth cléirigh astoigh
ag meiligh is ag meigeallaigh.

Gidh maith libh-si i ttighibh oil
bhar ccuirm leanna go n-onóir,
ferr lium-sa deogh d'uisge i ngoid
d'ol dom bais asin tiopraid.

Gidh binn libh thall in bhar ccill
comhradh min bar mac leighinn,
binne lium8a ceileabhradh án
doghniad coin Ghlinne Bolcáin.

Gidh maith libh-si an tsaill 's an fheóil
caithter a ttighibh comhóil,
ferr lium-sa gas biorair ghloin
d' ithe i n-ionadh gan chumaidh.

83—r ferain K 8 robhi K 8- an add. B

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 153

Suibhne : There was a time when I deemed more melodious
than the quiet converse of people,
the cooing of the turtle-dove
flitting about a pool.

There was a time when I deemed more melodious
than the sound of a little bell beside me
the warbling of the blackbird to the mountain
and the belling of the stag in a storm.

There was a time when I deemed more melodious
than the voice of a beautiful woman beside me,
to hear at dawn
the cry of the mountain-grouse.

There was a time when I deemed more melodious

the yelping of the wolves

than the voice of a cleric within

a-baaing and a-bleating.

Though goodly you deem in taverns
your ale-feasts with honour,
I had liefer drink a quaff of water in theft
from the palm of my hand out of a well.

Though yonderin your church you deem melodious

the soft converse of your students,

more melodious to me is the splendid chant

of the hounds of Glen Bolcain.

Though goodly ye deem the salt meat and the fresh

that are eaten in banqueting-houses,

I had liefer eat a tuft of fresh watercress

in some place without sorrow.

154 BUILE SUIBHNE

Romgon an cr^adhmhucaidhe corr9
go ndeachaidh trem10 chorp comhtrom,
truag, a Christ rolamh gach breth,
nach ar Mhagh Rath rommarbhadh.

Gidh maith gach leaba gan fheall
dorighnes seachnóin Eirenn,
ferr lem leabaidh ós an loch
i mBeinn Bhoirche gan fholoch.

Gidh maith gach leaba gan fheall
dorighnes sechnoin Eireand,
ferr [lem] leabaidh os an ross
i nGlenn Bolcáin doronoss.

Beirim a bhuidhe friot sin

do chorp, a Christ, do chaithimh,

aithrighe iodhan abhus

in gach olc riamh doronus.' Do.

84 Tainic iaromh taimhnell do Suibhne 7 ro-eirigh Moling
gona c[h]leirchibh mar áon fris 7 tugsat cloch gach fir i leachtt
Suibhne. ' Ionmhain eimh an fer isa leacht so,' ar Moling,
' meinic bámar inar ndís slán síst ag comhradh fri aroile
seachnóin na conaire so. Rob aobhinn lem faicsin Suibhne
.i. anti isa leachtt so ar an tioprait ud thall .i. Tiupra1 na Gealta
a hainm, uair is meinic notoimhledh ni dia biorar 7 dia huisci
7 uadha2 ainminighter an tioprat. Ionmhuin bheós gach ionadh
eile no-iomaithighedh anti Suibhne ' ; conadh ann adbert
Moling:

83 — 9 romghuin an ceer (?) cruadh muic^ corr K 10 tre mo K

84—1 tioprat K 2 is uaidhi K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 155

The herd's sharp spear has wounded me,
so that it has passed clean through my body ;
alas, O Christ, who hast launched every judgment,
that I was not slain at Magh Rath !

Though goodly each bed without guile
I have made throughout Erin,
I had liefer a couch above the lake
in Benn Boirche, without concealment.

Though goodly each bed without guile
I have made throughout Erin,
I had liefer the couch above the wood
I have made in Glen Bolcain.

To Thee, O Christ, I give thanks
for partaking of Thy Body ;
sincere repentance in this world
for each evil I have ever done.'

84 A death-swoon came on Suibhne then, and Moling,
attended by his clerics, rose, and each man placed a stone on
Suibhne's tomb. ' Dear in sooth is he whose tomb this
is,' said Moling ; ' often were we two — happy time ! — con-
versing one with the other along this pathway. Delightful
to me was it to behold Suibhne — he whose tomb this
is — at yonder well. The Madman's Well is its name, for
often would he eat of its watercress and drink its water,
and (so) the well is named after him. Dear, too, every
other place that Suibhne used to frequent ' ; whereupon
Moling said :

156 BUILE SUIBHNE

85 ' Leachtán Suibhne sunn imne,

rocráidh mo chroidhe a chuimhne,

ionmuin Hum bhós1 ar a seirc

gach airm i mbiodh an náoimhgheilt.

Ionmuin Hum Glenn mBolcáin mbán

ar a sere ag Suibhne slán,

ionmuin gach sruth do-icc ass,

ionmhuin [a] bhior[ar] barrghlass. [95b].

Tiubra na Gealta2 sud thall,
ionmuin each dar biadh a barr,
ionmuin Hum a gainemh glan,
ionmuin a huisge iodhan.

Orm-sa doghnidh a haicill,
fada Hum go nosfaicinn,
rothiomghair3 a breith dom thigh,
ba hionmhuin an eadarnaigh.4

Ionmhuin gach sruth go bhfuaire
fors' mbiodh5 biorar barruaine,
is6 gach tobar uisge ghii,
ar Suibhne ag a aithighidh.

Masa chead le7 Righ na reann
eirigh agus imthigh learn,
tucc dhamh, a c[h]ridhe,8 do lámh
on lighe agus on leachtán.

Ba binn Hum comhrádh Suibhne,
cían bhérus im chli a chuimhne :
aitchim mo Righ nimhe nár
os a lighe is ar a leachtán.' Leachtan.

85 — I bheos K 2 Tioprat na gealta K; Tiubra na nGealt B

3 rotromghair K 4 etharnaigh K 5 forsa i mbiodh B ; forsmbi an K

6 in K 7 re K 8 chridhe K

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 15*

85 ' The tomb of Suibhne here !

remembrance of him has wrung my heart !

dear to me too, out of love for him,

each place in which the holy madman used to be.

Dear to me is fair Glen Bolcain
because of perfect Suibhne's love of it ;
dear each stream that flows out of it.
dear its green-topped watercress.

Yonder is the Well of the Madman,
dear was he to whom it gave food,
dear to me its clear sand,
dear its pure water.

On me was imposed his preparation,
it seemed long until I should see him,
he asked that he be taken to my house,
dear was the lying in wait.

Dear each cool stream

wherein the green-topped watercress grew,

each well of bright water too,

because Suibhne used to visit it.

If it be the will of the King of the stars,

arise and come with me,

give me, O heart, thy hand

from the grave and from the tomb !

Melodious to me was the converse of Suibhne,
long shall I keep his memory in my breast :
I entreat my noble King of Heaven
above his grave and on his tomb ! '

158 BUILE SUIBHNE

86 Ro eirigh Suibhne asa niull iarsin 7 roghabh Moling
ar laim é, go rangadar rempa ina ndis co dorus na heglaisi
7 o dorad Suibhne a ghuala risin ursoinn tug a osnadh mór
ós aird co rofháoidh a spiorad doc[h]um nimhe 7 rohadhnacht1
go n-onóir ag Moling é.

87 Gonadh ni do sgélaibh 7 do imthechtuibh Suibhne mic
Colmáin Chuair rígh Dhál Aruidhe gonuige sin. Finis.

86—1 rothadhnacht

THE FRENZY OF SUIBHNE 159

86 Thereafter, Suibhne rose out of his swoon and Moling
taking him by the hand the two proceeded to the door of the
church. When Suibhne placed his shoulders against the
door-post he breathed a loud sigh and his spirit fled to Heaven,
and he was buried honourably by Moling.

87 So far, some of the tales and adventures of Suibhne
son of Colman Guar, king of Dal Araidhe. Finis.

[ 161 ]

NOTES

§ i, p. 3. Rónán Finn. St. Ronán, son of Bearach, &c, was abbot of
Druim Ineascluinn (Drumiskin) in Co. Louth. His death from the plague
known as buidhe conaill is recorded in the Ann. Four Mast, at the year 664.
He is mentioned in the Félire of Aengus at 18 November, where (in the notes)
his pedigree is given. A Rónán Finn (son of Saran, son of Colchu, &c.) is
mentioned in the Félire of Aengus at 22 May ; he was of Lann Rónáin Finn in
Húi Echach of Ulster. It is possible that the two saints are confused in our
tale, just as they are in the Martyrology of Donegal. Lann Remain Finn was in
Magh Rath ; see Hogan's Onomasticon.

§ 3> P- 3- Cell Lainne (Luinne) ; in Dal Araidhe. I have not succeeded in
identifying this place. There are two townlands named Killaney in Co. Down.
One of these is in the parish of Killaney, a little to the N. of Lough Henney,
and about three miles W. of Saintfield ; it contained an ancient church, see
Reeves, Eccl. Antiq., p. 217. The other is in the parish of Garvaghy to the S.
of Dromore. It is possible that Cell Lainne may be identical with Lann Rónáin
Finn ; see foregoing note.

§ 5, p. 5. an Otter . . . came to Rónán with the psalter. A similar miracle
is recorded in the Irish Lives of St. Kevin; see Plummer's Vitae Sanctorum
Hiberniae, Vol. I, p. cxliv, note 5.

§ 5, p. 5. may it be thus that he will ever be. Curses of this kind as a
result of which the offending person (with his descendants) is always to remain in
the state in which he is when cursed are common ; see Plummer's Vitae Sanctorum
Hiberniae, p. clxxvii. I am indebted to Mr. Plummer for a reference to a very
curious case of children cursed always remaining the size of children ; Le Grand
Vie des Saints de la Bretagne Armorigue, ed. 1835, p. 315 b.

§ 5, p. 5. death from a spear-point ; i.e. a violent death as opposed to éc fri
adart (Plummer) ; cf. bus re hadart, Acall. na Senórach, ed. Stokes, 3590.

§ 6, p. 6. The metre of this poem is debide.1

§ 6, p. 8. is nir mhisdi an breac-bán; or should we read breac ban, ' white
trout,' i.e. the psalter which the otter rescued? I think it more likely that it
means 'the speckled-white (i.e. variegated, ornamented) book '; cf. such titles
as Lebor Brec, Lebor na hUidhre, &c.

1 For a description of Irish metres see Professor Kuno Meyer's Primer of
Irish Metrics, Dublin, School of Irish Learning, 1909.

M

162 NOTES

§ 8, p. ii. likewise the tunic which Congal had given him ; cf. Banquet of
Dun na nGedh, p. 39 : ' And they [the saints of Ireland] also cursed Suibhne,
the son of Colmán Guar, son of Cobthach, king of Dál Araidhe, for it was he
that had carried away from them by force the many-coloured tunic which
Domhnall had given into the hand of St. Rónán Finn, the son of Berach, to be
presented to Congal ; but as Congal had refused to accept of the King's tunic,
Suibhne took it from the cleric's hand in despite of him.' See also Battle of
Magh Rath, ed. O'Donovan, p. 235.

\ 9, p. 11. the bell which was on his breast. The ancient Irish bell was a
small hand-bell ; how small may be inferred from this passage. A great deal of
interesting lore about ancient Irish bells is given by Mr. Plummer in the
Introduction to his Vitae Sanctorum Hiberniae.

§ 9, p. 11. Uradhran (Furadhran) and Telle. A Furudrán is mentioned in
the Félire of Aengus at 18 June ; son of Moenán of Land Luachar in Bregia. A
Telle is mentioned there also, at 25 June ; of Tech Telli near Durrow in
Westmeath.

§ 10, p. 12. The metre of this poem is rindaird.

§ 11, p. 14. With the description of Suibhne's madness given here cf. Battle
of Magh Rath, pp. 230-235.

§ 12, p. 15. Ros Bearaigh in Glenn Earcáin (Arcain). I have not been able
to identify this place. Hogan {Onomasticon) has 'Glenn Archain in Scotland.'
It may be that the Gl. Earcáin of our text was situated in the vicinity of
Ros Ercain, with which place Suibhne is associated, see p. 31, 1. 3. O'Donovan
(Four Mast.) identifies Ros Ercain as Rasharkin, a townland and parish in
Co. Antrim, about 8 miles S. of Ballymoney ; cf. also Reeves, Eccl. Ant., p. 340.

§ 14, p. 16. The metre of this poem is debide.

§ 15, p. 17. Cell Riagain in Tir Conaill ; Kilrean in p. of Killybegs Lr.,
Co. Donegal. Whatever we may think of Suibhne, it is scarcely likely that
Domnall and his army went so far afield after the battle.

\ 16, p. 18. The metre of this poem is debide.

§ 16, p. 20. Targus-sa do Chongal Chlaon. With this and the following
stanzas cf. Battle of Magh Rath : —

(P- 130)
' Targasa do Congal Claen
in tan 10 bi ag Dun na naem,
bennacht fear n-Erend uile,
ba momor in t-ic aen uige.

(P- I3<>)
La na gabai uaim-si sin
a mic Scannlain Sciath-lethain
ca breth beire, mor in modh,
orm-sa, masead, at aenor ?

NOTES 163

Gebasa uait, mad maith lat ;
tabair dam-sa, do dag mac,
do lam dit, is do bean maith,
t'ingean is do rose ro-glas.

Nocha beri acht rind re rind ;
bid me do teine timcill,
not gonfa in gai dreman dubh ;
nocho dlig deman dilgud.

Atai a t'aenar seach each rig
'gom aimleas o thir do tir,
rod leasaigius tairis sin,
o'n lo rod n-uc do mathair.'

1 I offered to Congal Claen,
when he was at Dun na naemh,
the blessing of the men of Erin all,
it was a great mulct for one egg.

When thou wouldst not accept these from me,

0 son of Broadshielded Scannlan,

what sentence dost thou pass — it is of great moment —

on me from thyself alone, if so be thou wilt not accept my offers ?

These will I accept from thee if thou wilt ;
give me thy good son,
thy hand from off thee, and thy good wife,
thy daughter and thy very blue eye.

1 will not give thee but spear for spear ;
I will be thy surrounding fire ;

the terrific black javelin shall wound thee ;
a demon is entitled to no forgiveness.

Thou art singular beyond every king,
planning my misfortune from country to country,
notwithstanding that I reared thee
from the day thy mother bore thee.'

§ 16, p. 21. great was the mulct for one egg. See the first stanza in the
preceding note ; according to the account given in the Banquet of Dun na
nGedh, one of Congal's grievances was that, on the occasion of a banquet given
by Domnall, son of Aedh, whereas a goose-egg was placed on a silver dish

M 2

164 NOTES

before every king at the board except Congal, a hen-egg on a wooden dish was
given him. This incident is given at tedious length in the Banquet of Dun na
nGedh, see pp. 15-59; see also Battle of Magh Rath, pp. Hi, 129-131.

§ 16, p. 21. yet I have befriended thee. Congal was given in fosterage to
Domnall ; see Banquet of Dun na nGedh, p. 35.

§ 17, p. 23. Glenn Bolcain. This place, which I cannot identify, figures
prominently in our story. Hogan, Onomasticon, quoting H. 4. 21, fo. 47a, has :
1 Tanaic Conall go hAth Muilt, alias Athfhirdiaclh 7 a nGleann Mór, alias Gleann
mBolcan,' and adds ' near Ardee.' Under Glenn Mór, quoting the same
authority, he has 'alias G. mBolcan ag Athfhirdiadh.' The only Glenn Mórthat
I can trace in Co. Louth or the vicinity is Glanmore in the parish of Carlingford,
in the ancient district of Cuailgne. This, however, can scarcely be the place
referred to in our text, for at § 31 we have 'Glen Bolcain, which is called
Glen Chiach to-day, in the plain of Cinel Ainmirech.' Hogan [Onomasticon)
has Cenél Ainmire ' in Armagh or adjoining regions.' It seems to me, however,
that it is more likely to be in N. Antrim ; see Reeves, Eccl. Antiq., p. 324.
Reeves, ib. p. 90, states that there is a ridge called Dunbolcain (or Drumbolcain)
about a furlong N. of Rasharkin. He adds that the place derives its name from
St. Olcan, ' who is called Bolcan by some writers and in vulgar parlance.' We
should possibly look to the same district for Glen Bolcáin; cf. p. 31, 1. 3,
' Suibhne of Ros Earcain (Rasharkin) is my name.'

The only other reference that I can find to GJen Bolcáin is in the Battle of
Ventry, ed. K. Meyer, p. 18. The king of France, literally flying before Oscar,
' went with the wind, and with madness before the eyes of the hosts of the world,
and did not stop in his mad flight till he came to Glen Bolcain in the east of that
territory.' It is not clear what territory is intended, though it seems likely that
it was in Kerry. Perhaps we have here some confusion between Gleann na
nGealt in Kerry and Glenn Bolcain. There is a Glenn Bolg; see Táin, ed.
Windisch, p. 457.

§ 19, p. 24. The metre of this poem is lethrannaigecht mar.

§ 21, p. 28. The metre of this poem is rannaigecht bee. (In the ninth
stanza the words laa, noa, and cua are disyllables.)

§ 19, p. 28. lia ar mairbh naid ar mbi ; cf. Fled Bricrend, ed. Windisch,
§ 5, ni ragam ar bit lia ar mairb oldáte ar mbi.

§ 19, p. 29. on Tuesday was the rout ; see also p. 45, 1. 5. The romantic
accounts of the battle agree that the conflict was decided on a Tuesday ; see

r

Battle of Magh Rath, p. in, and Eriu v, p. 247.

\ 20, p. 29. The erenach of the church was Faibhlen. It will be seen that
the erenach (airchinnech) is almost invariably referred to — and his name given —
whenever Suibhne comes to a church; see, for example, pp. 51 and 83. It
was the erenach who dispensed alms and hospitality, and Suibhne' s business
as a mendicant would be with him. An interesting late account of the
office of erenach is given in a letter from Sir John Davies to Robert,
Earl of Salisbury, on the state of Monaghan, Fermanagh, and Cavan, 1607.

NOTES 165

' . . . For the herinach there are few parishes of any compass in extent
where there is not an herinach, which, being an officer of the church, took
beginning in this manner : when any lord or gentleman had a direction to
build a church, he did first dedicate some good portion of land to some saint or
other whom he chose to be his patron ; then he founded the church, and called
it by the name of that saint, and then gave the land to some clerk not being in
orders and to his heirs forever with this intent, that he should keep the church
clean and well repaired, keep hospitality, and give alms to the poor for the
soul's health of the founder. This man and his heirs had the name of errenagh.
The errenagh was also to make a weekly commemoration of the founder of the
church. He had always primam tonsuram, but took no orders ; he had a voice
in the chapter, when they consulted about their revenues and paid a certain
yearly rent to the Bishop. Besides a fine upon marriage of every one of his
daughters, which they call a loughhimpy, he gave a subsidy to the Bishop at his
first entrance into his bishopric'

§ 21, p. 30. Nidom fois, ' I rest not,' lit. ' I am not of rest ' ; note the use
of the gen. here ; also choisior chos in the next line, giving the necessary internal
rhyme. Note also nidom neirt, p. 28, 1. 26.

§ 21, p. 31. the bonds of terror come upon me; or should we render, ' the
bird-flocks of terror &c.,' associating the birds with his madness, and with
Ronán's curses ? See p. 43, ' thou hast leave to go with the birds.' See also
PP. 75, 87, 133-

§ 21, p. 32. Beg mo chuid 0 thig laa, ni that ar scath la noa. If the text
is sound — and both mss. agree in this reading — the phrase ar scath la noa is
obscure to me.

§ 21, p. 32. An gen fi.1 ag Ros Ercach, 'He who is at Ros Earcach ' ; who
is meant I cannot say; perhaps we should read An gcéin (gein K), and translate
* As long as he is at R. E.'

§ 22, p. 32. clog an esparta ; esparta here g. s. ; cf. ó tráth espurta, Eriu, 11,
p. 194, 1. 10 ; see also p. 142, supra, 11. 5 and 12.

§ 22, p. 33. Snamh dha En on the Shannon, which is now called Cluain
Boirenn. Cluain Boirenn is Cloonburren, in the parish of Moore, Co. Roscommon,
opposite Clonmacnois. Snámh dá En would seem accordingly to have been
applied to a territory on right bank of the Shannon opposite Clonmacnois ; cf.
Book of Armagh, lib 1: Venit ergo Patricius sanctus per alueum fluminis
Sinnae per Vadum Duorum Auium (Snáin Dd En) in Campum Ai. For a poem
on the place see Erin v, p. 221.

§ 23> P- 32- The metre of this poem is ra?i?iaigecht bee, except the second
and third stanzas, which are dian airse?zg (see Meyer's Primer of Jrish Metrics,
p. 21).

h 23> P- 33- Though my talons to-night are feeble. I can only conjecture
the meaning of this stanza. For ingne of B, K has adhbha, 'joints' (?) ;
cf., however, the whole of the first and second stanzas in K ; the last line, too,
should have an internal rhyme for cille. It is probable that the stanza is corrupt.

166 NOTES

§ 23, p. 34. Siodhmhuine Glinne ; perhaps not a proper name at all, but f the
peaceful brake of the glen.'

§ 24, p. 35. Cell Derfile ; St. Dervilla's church in the W. of Erris,
Co. Mayo; v. Hogan Onom., s.v. Cell Dairbhile ; now Kildervila or Termon
Dervila, vide F.M. 1248.

§ 25, p. 34. The metre of this poem is debide.

\ 25, p. 36. Muichnidhe mh' aghaidh anocht, ' gloomy is my night to-night';
or perhaps we should render, 'gloomy is my face to-night'; similarly in the third
line of the same stanza ; cf., however, the opening line of the poem, § 25,

P- 34-

h 25> P- 36. Mairg romfuirgedh risin dáil ; cf. p. 86, 1. 4. The ' tryst r
was probably the battle of Magh Rath.

§ 25, p. 36. Faolchú. According to the Chron. Scotorum Faolchu, son of
Airmeadhach, king of Meath, fell in the battle of Magh Rath together with
Congal and many other nobles. But see Battle of Magh Rath, p. 305, where a
Faelchu, son of Congal, is mentioned.

§ 26, p. 37. and he found the track of his feet ; lit. the track of the points
of his feet '; cf. barrchos, ' the toes and instep.'

§ 27, p. 38. The metre of this poem is as follows : stanzas 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8r
10 debide; 2 debide gairit \ 3, 12 rannaigecht mar; 9, 11 rannaigecht gairit.
The metre of the last stanza is doubtful. The 9th stanza of this poem is
not in K.

§ 27, p. 38. mhaonar dhamh a mbarr eidhin ; cf. barr edin, which occurs
over the words Tuaim Inbir (or are they meant to be the title of the poem ?)
in the poem attributed to Suibhne Geilt, quoted in the Introduction. See
Thurney sen's Handbuch des Alt-Irischen, II, p. 39.

§ 27, p. 39. The man by the wall. The place of the serf was by the wall,
that is, farthest away from the fire.

§ 27, p. 40. mo chollan i n-eidhnechaibh. My translation rests on the very
doubtful conjecture that collan is intended for colainn ' body ' ; K has clearly
collan, but in B there seems to be a faint mark of length over the a.

§ 27, p. 40. imma ngairid geilte glinne. It is possible that geilt glinne is
meant for some bird or animal ; see that curious poem, or extract from a
poem — enumerating various birds and animals — in Vol. VII of the Proceedings
of the R.I. A., p. 190; Di gheilt glinne Ghleanna Smóil.

§ 29, p. 42. The metre of this poem is debide.

\ 29, p. 44. nochar úallcha neach anu. I take anu to be for indu
(O.I. olddu), ' than I am.' The context would seem to require this rather than
the aniu, ' to-day,' of K.

§ 31» P» 45- Ettan Tairb ; cf. Tdin Bo Ctiailnge, YBL., 53 a, Dolluid do
Etan Tairb, dobert a etan frisin tealaig oc Ath Da Ferta, is de ata Etan Tairb
i Muig Muirthemni. This is probably EdenterrifF in par. of Annagh, Co. Cavan;
it must have been the western limit of the plain of Muirthemne.

§ 32, p. 46. The metre of this poem is debide.

NOTES 167

§ 32, p. 46. te duit ar chluimh cholcaidh cain : apparently the feathers
{clúmh) were put into the colcaid ; see p. 58 ar chluimh 7 ar cholcaidh.

\ 32, p. 46. ní iarr sibh bhar senchara, 'you seek not your old friend,' or
rather, 'ye seek not veer old friend.' as it would be expressed in some Anglo-
Irish dialects.

\ 34, p. 50. The metre of this poem is debide.

\ 35, p. 51. For he had three dwellings in his own country . . . viz.
Teach Mic Ninnedha, Cluain Creamha. and Kos Earcain. All three would
therefore appear to have been in the territory of Dal Araidhe. As to Ros
Earcain (Rasharkin, Co. Antrim), see notes to § 12 and §17. I have not suc-
ceeded in identifying the other two places. Hogan (Onomasticon) gives references
to a number of places bearing the name Cluain Crema, but none to the C. Crema
of our tale.

:; 55> P- S2- Domgaibh dom formadh on. The meaning of this curious phrase
seems to be that the news of his father's death struck him with horror. O'R.
has formadh, ' fear, apprehension,' and in this sense it is perhaps intended here.

k 35> P- 52- as e s*n an banna dobheir an fer co lar ; cf. the metrical version
on p. 56 (fifth stanza) : as e sin an bamia . . . dobheir an fer co talmain. For
banna (banne), 'a drop,' 'a tear,' see Meyer's Contributions. I have not met
the phrase elsewhere : the meaning seems to be that the blow (his son's death)
is a ' last straw.'

§ 36, p. 52. The metre of this poem is debide. The latter half of the 4th
stanza is not in K.

h 36, P- 54- Tigedhus do bheith gan mnaoi. With this line and the
following one cf. Vision of Mac Conglinne, p. 73, 11. 17 and 20.

The remainder of the stanza presents many difficulties. B has cad9* i.e.
cadach, while K has cad^. In the absence of a word rhyming with adiidh in
the next line— which does not appear to be absolutely essential — I have chosen
to read cadach, ' tartan, a kind of cloth, a coat of spotted tartan, formerly steel,
mail, greaves, defensive armour' ; W., cadach, 'a rag, a clout,' Dictionary of
Highland Society. Cf. Fer beg truag irrusc olla nobid dogres dia chadud ar a
thruaigi, Anecdota from Irish mss., I, p. 7. I take adudh (= adúdh) to be inf.
of adóim, 'I kindle.' For henoires read aenaires of K, 'one fire'; aires
' a firebrand.'

\ 36, p. 54. As dom im dbiaidh, cf. O'Dav, 1586, Tor .i. imat, ut est, is
dorn im diaid tor mbriathar : tor, i.e. ' plenty,' ut est, a fist around smoke is a
multitude of words (RC. xxvn, p. 88;; cf. also King and Hermit, p. 29, na seóid
dochi as dorn im ceo, the wealth thou seest is like a hand round mist.

§ 36, p. 55- There is another calamity there, &c. The inference seems to
be that if he had not been a prince but some serf, scarred and in rags — as Suibhne
was — the loss would not be mourned.

h 36» P- 56. Seinbhriathar so, serb an snomh, &c. See the variant readings
as given in the footnotes ; the stanza is possibly defective. The alteration of
snomh to sniomh is not altogether convincing. P. O'C. has snomh .i. soiniamh,

168 NOTES

new, fresh, blooming, freshness, &c. Cf. Tibigh grian da gach tir | dedl
lim fri sil snom, no son, C in 2 (R.I. A.), fo. ioa. (This is given in
Four Old Irish Songs, ed. Meyer, p. 26 : Tibid grian dar gach tir | dedlaid
lim fri sil snon.) Cf. snob, SG. 64310. The meaning would seem to be
that the point of the proverb was bitter. The whole of the stanza, however, is
vague.

h 36, P- 56. nochan fuilinghim thúas don beirt, lit. ' I cannot endure to be
up from the deed.' With thuas here, cf. the use of suas in a number of examples
given by Mr. T. O'Rahilly in Gadelica 1, p. 65.

h 36> P- 57- a11 tnv folk are alive; see also § 37, p. 59: the dramatic
account given by Loingseachan of the death of Suibhne's father, mother, &c.
(pp. 53-57), was evidently a ruse, intended to move Suibhne to such an extent
that he might recover his senses.

§ 3^> P« 57- Eochu Salbuidhe. He was one of the early kings of Emania ;
see Rawl. B. 502, p. 157, 1. 3.

§ 37, p. 61. The mill-hag was enjoined not to speak to him, that is, lest he
should talk about his madness and, by dwelling on it, lapse back into his old
life.

§ 38, p. 60. The metre of this poem is debide.

§ 39» P- 63- Oilill Cédach, king of the Ui Faeláin. An Ailill appears in
the Hui Faelain genealogies in Rawl. B 502, njd, as son of Dunlaing and fifth
in descent from Catháir Mór ; but he appears to have been slain in 495. In the
Book of Rights (p. 200) Ailill Cédach is called son of Cathair. Neither record
fits in with our tale. See Battle of Magh Rath, p. 245, ' By Suibhne the
populous in strife Ailill Cedach was slain.'

§ 40, p. 62. The metre of this poem is era cumtnaisc etir casbairdne agus
lethrannaigecht, except the last stanza, the metre of which is doubtful.

The stanzas not found in K are : 22, 30, 31, 43, 46, 48, 61.

§ 40, p. 65. Thou oak, bushy, leafy, &c. With this stanza and the ten
stanzas that follow cf. the poem at p. 245 of Silva Gadelica 1 (translation at
p. 278, Vol. n), which contains some curious lore concerning trees.

§ 40, p. 68. Rob é guth gach aenduine ; cf. Battle of Magh Rath,
P- 234-

Ba h-e guth each aen duine
do'n t-sluag détla daith,
na teit uaibh fa'n cael-muine,
fear in inair maith.

It was the saying of every one

of the valiant, beauteous host,

permit not to go from you to the dense shrubbery

the man of the goodly tunic.

NOTES 169

§ 40, p. 68. Ag dula dar eidhneachuibh ; with this stanza cf. Battle of
Magh Rath, p. 236.

Rop é sin mo céd rith-sa,
ro pa luath an rith,
d'eag urchar na gothnaidhe
dam-sa res in cith.

This was my first run —
rapid was the flight —
the shot of the javelin expired
for me with the shower.

§ 40, p. 72. Do mhuilenn an mheanmaráin domheilte do thúaith. My ren-
dering of this half-stanza is most doubtful ; as to meanmardn, see the gl. ;
domheilte (the aspiration is curious), judging from the context, seems to be
melim, ' I grind.' The stanza is not in K.

§ 40, p. 72. demhan agat th' aidmilliudh, ' a demon is ruining thee ' ; here,
as in many instances of the use of the word, admilliud seems to be used of
persons ' bewitched,' 'possessed,' or under the influence of the evil eye ; cf. Robot
admtlliud furri i tossaig, said of Mór of Munster ; see Proceed, of R.I. A., xxx.,
191 2 ; see also Cormac's Glossary, s.v. milled, i.e. mi shilledh, ' a mislook,' i.e.
an evil eyeing, O'Cl. droch amharc. See also B. Da Derga 62, 71 ; Cóir
Anm. § 54; Ac. Senórach (Stokes) 1638, 6355.

§ 40, p. 78. damh dá fhiched benn, ' the stag of twice twenty peaks ' ; or
better, perhaps, ' twice twenty antler-points,' as in the last stanza on the same
page. Note the constant use of benn in most of the stanzas that follow ; there
is evidently a play intended on the word. I find it difficult to grasp the
significance of many of the stanzas between p. 74 and p. 80; no doubt some
curious folk-lore is embedded in them.

§ 40, p. 81. at puissant Toidiu in the south. In the Latin and Irish Lives
of St. Moling Tóidiu (also Táiden) is mentioned as the watercourse which the
saint made to his monastery. ' In digging the Táiden great tribulation had he
from devils and packs of wolves and evil men crossing him ' ; Felire of Aengus,
June 17 (notes). For an account of the work see the Latin Life of St. Moling in
Plummer's Vitae Sanctorum Hiberniae, II, p. 193. There are frequent references
to it in the Moling poems in Anecdota from Irish MSS., II, p. 20. The Tóidiu
is said to have possessed many virtues for those who went into it or who drank
of it ; see Birth and Life of Moling, ed. Stokes, p. 55.

\ 40, p. 81. pleasant is the place for seats on the top of thy antler-points.
A stock miracle in Irish hagiology is that of making a living stag's antlers serve
as a bookstand; see Lismore Lives, pp. 268, 274, and 357. As to stags being
yoked to draw loads see also Lismore Lives, p. 223 ; for other instances see
Plummer's Vitae Sanctorum Hiberniae, vol. I, p. cxliii.

170 NOTES

§ 43, p. 84. The metre of this poem is as follows : ae freslige, stanzas 5, 6,
7, 8, 9, 17 ; aefreslige, but with the third line ending in a monosyllable, 2, 3, 4 ;
ra?rnaigecht bee, stanzas II, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. The metre
of stanzas I and 10 is doubtful.

Stanzas 5, 6, 7, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19 are not in K.

§ 43, p. 84. seach ni fhagaidh cuibhdhe neich, &c. It is difficult to
translate cuibhdhe here; the usual meaning is 'harmony,' 'concord'; in this
half-stanza it seems to mean ' companionship.'

§ 43, p. 86. Diamsat eolach, a fionnghág. This stanza (which is not in K)
is obscure to me as it stands.

§ 43, p. 88. At uara dotachuisin, 'it is cold they are,' lit. 'they are cold
which exist.' For docuisin see Glossary to the Laws; also Wb. i7bio, 2ia3,
Ml. io8di4.

§ 43, p. 90. Creach na nGall ngorm dot gabháil, ' may a raid of the
blue(-coated) Norsemen take thee.' Or should we render ' swarthy Norsemen'?
Cf. Tugas di gallcochal gorm, 'I gave her a blue Norse hood'; Bergin in
Miscellany to Kuno Meyer ; Halle, 1912, p. 364, 1. 10.

§ 44, p. 91. Donnán of Eig. He was an Irishman and a disciple of
St. Columba ; he founded a monastery in the island of Eig. He and his
community of fifty-one persons were put to death by a band of pirates in 617 ;
see Reeves, Adamnan, pp. 223 and 303-309. His martyrdom is mentioned in
the Félire of Aengus at 17 April.

§ 45, p- 90. The metre of this poem is blogbairdne (see Meyer's Primer of
Irish Metrics, p. 16).

Stanzas 2 flatter half), 9, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32 are not
in K.

§ 45, p. 92. mbláthmBoirne ; as the rhyme here is faulty (gargOighle), perhaps
we should read blatt ' strong.' The stanza does not occur in K.

h 45> P* 93- Dim Rodairce. Is this intended for Dun Rudraige at Dundrum,
Co. Down ?

§ 45, p. 96. cloc na cruthailde. My translation here is a mere guess ; unfor-
tunately the stanza is not in K. Both cloc and cruthailde present difficulties.
Can cloc here be used in the sense of ' a blister, a bubble, or blob in the water,'
as given by P. O'C. ? On the other hand, it may stand for cloc-thech, 'a bell-
tower, belfry, round tower.' As to cruthailde, see Meyer's Contributions,
s.v. alt and ailt ' a house.' I have not succeeded in identifying Carraic
Alastair.

§ 45, p. 97. a rock of holiness. The.reference seems to be to Carraic Alastair ;
but why 'a rock of holiness' I cannot say, unless it was associated with
St. Donnán of Eig.

§ 45, p. 96. mar cuing n-imeachtair, 'like an outer yoke' ; Mr. Plummer
suggests that it may mean the yoke of the outside ox ; cf. remithir cuing
n-imechtraid (v.l. imechtair) a crand fil indi 'as thick as an outer yoke is the
shaft that is in it,' Togail Bruidne dá Derga, p. 87. In the Félire of Aengus

NOTES 171

(p. 72) Stokes renders imechtraid 'outer ox,' quoting (in the gl.) O'Cl. .i. dam
imil na seisrighe. I take it that ' outer yoke ' here stands for ' outer ox,' but
what that actually signified I cannot say ; it seems clear, however, that the
' outer ox ' had to bear the brunt of the work and of the blows. For other
instances of the use of the phrase see Acallamh na Senórach (Stokes), 1300,

5943-

§45, p. 96. re nguin mh' échta-sa; lit. 'before the blow (causing) my
destruction.'

j 45, p. 100. tír conuachtus-sa, lit. 'the land I have sewn together ' ; I
take conúachtus to be the pret. of conúaigim ' I sew together '; see Meyer's
Contributions (Addenda).

§ 47, p. 100. The metre of this poem is sétrad ngarit.

§ 47, p. 102. Suibhne . . . 6 Bhuais bhil. Suibhne was of Dal Araidhe ;
but it is probable that the river Bush was the dividing line between Dal Araidhe
and Dal Riada.

§ 48, p. 103. Eochaidh Aincheas, son of Guaire. A king of the Britons
named Eochaidh Aingces is mentioned in the Battle of Magh Rath, ed.
O'Donovan ; see pp. 44, 45, 64, 65. O'Donovan regards him as a fictitious
personage. As to Guaire, Sir John Rhys has suggested to me that he may be
the Goreus whose name is found inscribed on a stone at Yealmpton, S. Devon ;
see Hubner's Christian Inscriptions of Britain, No. 23. This stone is situated in
the district where ogams of the Déssi occur in S. Devon. It would be interesting
to know whether the Goreus stone has an ogam.

§ 50, p. 105. Eas Dubhthaigh. From the context one would expect this
place to be in Britain, but Hogan (Onomasticon) gives Es Dubhthaigh —
which is certainly in Ireland (the reference is to Gwynn's Dinnsh. vili, 42) — but
does not identify it.

§ 52, p. 106. The metre of this poem is debide. Stanzas 6 and 7 are not
inK.

Ba talach(?)ar thairisi. This is quite obscure to me. O'R. has talack,
' dispraise, reproach,' &c.

§ 54, p. 108. The metre of this poem is debide. Stanzas 4 and 6 are not
inK.

§ 54, p. 108. Ni minic bhios cumann trir gan duine fo fhodhord dibh.
Cf. ní gnáth comann comáentadach la triur iter, ' rare is accordant union with a
trio,' Cath Catharda, p. 10.

§ 54, p, 108. Ar mian 0 thigid cadhain gusan mbealltine ar samhuin,
' . . . when the wild ducks come' ; cf. gigraind, cadhoin, gair re samuin. King
and Hermit, ed. Meyer, p. 18.

§ 56, p. 112. The metre of this poem is debide. Stanzas 6 and 7 are not
in K.

§ 56, p. 112. Allata, fergach an fer, ' Wild and angry the man'; allata is
usually rendered ' famous,' from allud ' fame,' but it seems doubtful if the
epithet is appropriate here. Should we not rather render ' wild,' ' unbridled,'

172 NOTES

regarding it as a parallel form to allaidh ? See the many examples of the word
in the gl. to Cath Catharda.

§ 58, p. 114. The metre of this poem is debide. Stanzas 3, 8, 10 are not
inK.

§ 58, p. 116. Meisi i ferann ghlas nach glenn, &c. Suibhne can endure
the wild and lonely glens, but is afraid of the fertile and populous plains. He is
cold in glens, but he would be cold also in the plains.

§ 61, p. 118. The metre of this poem is rannaigecht mor. Stanzas 10 and
1 1 are not in K.

§ 60, p. 119. from the time my feathers have grown, i.e. since, through
Rónán's curses, he became as a bird; see Introduction, p. xxxiv, footnote 2; see
also pp. 33 and 49. Cf. Lismore Lives, pp. 260 and 354, where a holy man is
described as being ' without any human raiment, but all his body was full of
bright white feathers like a dove or sea-mew.' See also Acallam na Senórach,
ed. Stokes, p. 325 (note to lines 6017 and 6018), tuignech fírclúime, 'dress
of veritable feathers.'

\ 61, p. 121. Rathmor ; in Magh Line. It is situated about two miles to the
N.E. of the town of Antrim. It seems to have been the principal seat of the
kings of Dal Araidhe down to the sixth or seventh century. For a number of
references to it see Reeves' Eccles. Antiq., pp. 69 and 280.

§ 61, p. 122. dosgarus remchruth gan clodh : clodh here appears to go with
cruth, ' my unsurpassed shape.'

§ 64, p. 123. Spectres on Sliabh Fuaid. Is this weird episode an echo of
the tale of Orestes and the Furies ?

§ 67, p. 124. The metre of this poem is debide. Stanzas 4, 7, 8, 10, 14, 18
(latter half), 19 are not in K.

§ 69, p. 130. The metre is rannaigecht bee.

§ 71, p. 134. The metre is ae freslige.

\ 72, p. 134. All Fharannáin. See Tribes and Customs of Hy Fiachrach.
The place referred to is Alternan, close to Skreen (Serin Adhamnain) in the
diocese of Killala, barony of Tireragh, Co. Sligo. It is associated with Colum
Cille, Farannan, and Adhamnan. See also Betha Farannain in Anecdota from
Irish MSS., Ill, pp. 4 and 7.

§ 73> P- l3&- The metre is rannaigecht már.

§ 73» l3&. i édan rionntanach róin ; rionntanach (rionntánach ?) is quite
unknown to me. The variant roinnteach is to be noted. P. O'C. has róinteach 'of
or belonging to sea-hogs'; cf., however, 'ag eistecht le riontach na rón 7 le fogar
na ffaoilenn,' Betha Farannain, Anecdota, in, p. 5, 1. 4. It is somewhat curious
that the poem in which the above line occurs is one describing Farannán's Cliff.

§ 75, p. 136. The metre of this poem is era cummaisc etir casbairdm. 7
lethrannaigecht. Stanzas 3, 5, 7, 8, 13 are not in K..

§ 77, p. 143. The description of the meal which the cook prepared for
Suibhne is a strangely primitive touch. If it has any special significance, I do not
know what it is.

NOTES 173

§ 78, p. 144. gur gabh urrainn trid ar mbrisedh a droma ar dhó ann, My
rendering of this curious expression is but a conjecture. L has simply : tuc
sathadth don lethgha fair as a láimh gur cuir trid.

§ 78, p. 145. The herd made a thrust of the spear, &c. In the Birth and
Life of St. Moling, ed. Stokes, it is stated (p. 57) that a cowherd killed Suibhne.

§ 79, p. 145. Enna macBracáin. According to the Brussels version he was a
member of Moling's community.

\ 80, p. 144. The metre is debide.

\ 80, p. 144. biad do chorp inn-ethannaidh. See the footnote in the text ;
it is strange to find that the half-stanza is in K but not in B ; ethannaidh, if it
be the word intended, is obscure to me. Should we read etarnaidh ' ambuscade,'
* lying in wait ' ?

§ 83, p. 146. The metre is debide.

Stanzas 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 19, 20, 22, 24 are not in K.

§ 83, p. 152. bheith ice luthmhairecht im linn. The construction is peculiar ;
perhaps we should read beich, 'bees,' for bheith, and translate: 'bees buzzing
about a pool and the cooing of the turtle-dove.'

§ 83, p. 153. more melodious to me is the glorious chant, &c. Suibhne
contrasts the ceileabrad ('service,' or should we say 'mass'?) of the hounds
with the comhradh of the students. See also p. 141, where he contrasts a leaf
of the yew-tree with a leaf of St. Kevin's psalter.

§ 83, p. 154. Romgon an cruadhmhucaidhe corr. It may be that cruadh is
a subs, here, and that corr goes with it, ' the pointed steel, or spear.'

§ 84, p. 155. each man placed a stone on Suibhne's tomb. As to this
custom see Plummer's Vitae Sanctorum Hibemiae, vol. 1, p. cix (note 7).

§ 85, p. 156. The metre is debide.

§ 85, p. 156. Tucc dhamh, a chridhe, do lamh, 'give me, O heart, thy
hand,' but cf. cride láime, 'palm of the hand'; see Meyer's Contributions, s.v.
cride.

§ 85, p. 157. On me was imposed his preparation, &c. See § 76 (p. 143),
where Moling says that it was destined that Suibhne would come to Tech
Moling, and ultimately die there.

[ 174 ]

BRUSSELS MS. 3410

Fo. 59 a TO 61b

DE S. RONANO MAC BERUIGH AS ECHTRA SUIBHNE

[Cap. I.]

Naomh uasal oirdnidhe robaoi sunn a ttír nEirenn .i. Ronán Fionn
mhac Beraigh mhic Criomhtainn mhic Coluim Cúile mic Eire Logha mic
Laoghaire mhic Neill Naoighiallaigh. Fer chomhaillte tiomna 7 congmhala
cuinge an Choimdedh 7 'fuilngthi inghrema 7 treabhlaide ar gradh Dé. Bamogh
naoimhdhiles da anmain 7 ba crochaidh a chuirp 7 ba scciath dídin ria drochaim-
sibh diabail an fer min moronórach sin. Ro tórainnedh ceall lais feacht n-áon
.i. ceall Lainni a nDail Araidhe a ccoiccedh Uladh. As aicce robaoi ferannus 7
forlamhus Dháil Araidhe .i. ag Suibhne mhac Colmáin Chuair mhic Cobthaigh.
Rochuala sein guth cluig Ronáin ait a raibhe ag tórainn a chille 7 ro'fiarfaigh dia
muinntir ciodh adchúaladar. Ronán Fionn mhac Beraigh atá ag tóruinn a chille
ad chrich-si 7 at ferann. As e guth a chluig adchluini-si anosa. (As follus
de sin nar chedaigh an naomh do Suibhne an ecclas do thionnsgana.)1 Et
rolonnaigedh 7 ro fergaighedh go mór imón rígh 7 ro éirigh go dían deinmnedach
do díchur an chleirigh on chill. Roglac a bhen .i. Eórann ingen Chuinn
Chiannachta err an bhruit robhaoi uime 7 rotriall a fosdadh gur sgeinn fon teach
an tsibhall (.i. dealg) argaitt robaoi isin brut 7 fágbhais a bhrat agan rioghain 7
dochuaidh lomnocht do dhiochur an chleirigh on chill go riacht airm (.i. áit) a
raibhe ina réim roretha go ffarnaic (.i. go bfuair) antí Ronán ar a chionn. Is
amhlaidh robaoi an cléirech ag moladh Ri nimhe et talman 7 ag solasghabháil a
salm 7 a saltair líneach lánálainn ina fiadhnaisi. Tuargaibh (.i. do thógaibh)
Suibhne an tsaltair 7 teilgis uadha í a bfúdomhain an locha lindf uair robáoi ina
bfiadhnaisi gur baidhedh an tsaltair ami. Gabhais láimh Ronáin íaromh 7
tairrngis na dhiaigh tar an ccill amach é et nir léicc lamh an chleirigh fós uaidh
go ccúala an t-éighemh. As é dorinne an t-eighemh sin giolla Chonghail
Claoin mhic Sccannláin ri Uladh arna thoideacht ar cenn Suibhne o Chongal
Claon do cath Muighe Rath.

1 in brackets in MS.

BRUSSELS MS. 175

[Cap. II.]

Doruacht an giolla go Suibhne 7 adfed (.i. roinnis) sccela dhó o thus go
deiredh. Téid Suibhne lais 7 fagbais Ronán go dubhach dobrónach ar mbáthadh
a saltrach 7 ar ndénamh a dhimigne 7 a easonóra. Día mbói ló go n-oidche
iarsin doriacht dobharchú asin loch go Rónán 7 a saltan lais gan milledh line nó
litre innte. Doroine Rónan altugadh buidhe do Dhia do chenn na miorbuile sin
7 mallaighis Suibhne iarsin. Mo ched-sa for ced an Choiradhe chumhachtaigh
ar sé amhail tainic Suibhne dom dhiochur-sa 7 sé lomnocht gurab amhlaidh
bhias doghrés (.i. do ghnáth) lomnocht ar fáoindel 7 ar foluamhain seachnóin an
domhain 7 gurab bás do rinn bhéras fo dhéoigh 7 mo mallacht fair 7 mo bennacht
for Eórainn rothríall a fasdadh 7 an la adcifet clanna Colmain an tsaltair
robáidhedh gurab dith 7 dílgenn dóibh 7 dorinne an laoidh :

Suibhne mac Colmain romcráidh,
romtarraing leis ar lethláimh,
d'fágbháil Cille Lainne lais,
dom beith athaigh na heccmais. 7 rl.

Dochúaidh Ronán iaramh go Magh Rath do dhénamh sithe idir Dhomhnall
mhac Aodha mhic Ainmireach .i. ri Erenn et Congal Claon mhac Sccannláin rí
Uladh 7 nir íét a siodhughud. Dobeirti immorro an cleirech a ccomairce ettorra
gach laoi go nách marbhthaoi neach ettorra on uair rotoirmesgtha an cathughud
no go ngabhtha doridhisi. Ticcedh thrá Suibhne tar lamha an chleirigh gacha
trátha oir gach sidh 7 gach osadh doniod Ronan idir fiora Erenn gach n-oidhce
nomhilledh Suibhne ria ttráth éirghe gach laoi oir no marbhadh fer ria ttráth an
■chomhlainn gach laoi 7 fer eile ar sccur an chomhlainn gach n-oidche. An lá
immorro xooSxiwedh an cath mór do thabairt tainicc Suibhne re ccách dochum an
catha 7 tarla Rónan dó 7 ocht sailmchedlaigh dia muinntir ina farradh 7 iad ag
cur uisge coisrectha tar na sluaghaibh 7 rochuirset tar Suibhne a ccuma cháich.
Dar laisiumh bá dá fochuidbhed rocuiredh an t-uisge fair 7 dorad a mher a
súainemh na sleighe robháoi ina laimh 7 rodiubhraic do sailmceadlaz'^ diobh
go romarbh. Dorad an t-urchar tanaisi do chum an cleirigh féin gur bhen isin
clocc báoi for a ucht go roscceind a chrann as a n-airde isin aiér. Gonadh aim
adbert an cleirech : Guidim-si an Choimdhe, ar sé, i n-airde dochoidh an crann
isin aiér 7 a nellaibh nimhe go ndechair-si ar gealtacht amhail gach n-eathaid 7
an bás roimris for mo dalta-sa, ar se, gurab edh nosbérai-se fa deoigh .i. bas do
rinn 7 mo mallacht fort 7 mo bhennacht for Eórainn 7 Furadhrán 7 Teille uaim
n aghaidh do siola uile 7 chloinne Colmáin cuair, 7 dorinne an laoidh :

Mo mhallacht for Suibhne, 7 rl.

176 BRUSSELS MS.

[Cap. III.]

Ciodh trá acht ó rochomraicsiot na catha fochedóir robhúii sett 7 rogairset na
sluaigh da gach leith ; ódchuaLz Suibhne na gáire mora sin 7 a bfreccartha 7 a
bfuaim 7 a macalla a néllaibh nimhe 7 a bfroighthibh na firminnte rofech súas 7
rolíon némhain 7 dásacht 7 fáindeal 7 fualang 7 foluamhain é 7 miosgais gach
ionaidh a mbiodh 7 sere gach ionaidh no go roichedh. Romheirbhlighsett a
mheóir 7 rochrithnaighset a chosa, roluatha^ a chridhe, roclaochlá a chédfadha,
rosáobadh a radharc, rothuitset a airm as a lamhaibh go ndeachaidh la breithir
Rónain ar gealtacht amhail gach n-eathaid 7 gach n-én bfoluaimhneach 7 antan
ráinic as in cath amach ba hainminic notaidhledh a chosa an talamh ara lúas
tainicc 7 an trath dotaidhledh an chos an talamh as conntabairt go mbenfadh a
dhrucht don fhér ar a ettroma 7 ar a aierdacht an cheime rocingedh 7 nir fhan
don reim roretha sin gu nar fhagaibh magh no machaire nó coill nó moin no
mothar i nEirinn gan taisteal an lá sin 7 rochaith a aois 7 a aimsir ar gealtacht i
nEirinn 7 a mBretain an ccein romair, gan furtacht gan foiridhin gan taobh do
tabairt le dáoinibh amhail dherbhas an leabhar sgriobhthar air fein darab ainm
Buile Suibhne. Oir a n-aon uair tainicc taom ceille chuicce 7 dosanntaigh taobh
do tabairt le dáoinibh tre mhed gach bochtachta da bfuair an fedh dobaoi ar
gealtacht 7 docuaidh roimhe d' ionnsuidhe a tire ; dochuaidh ar an aithgealtacht
doridhisi oir dofoillsighedh do Ronán táomh ceille do techt cuige 7 a bheith ag
dol d'ionnsuidhi a thíre duthaighe 7 d'fanamhain aca 7 adubhairt Ronán :
Aitchim-si (.i. guidhim-si) an ri uasal uilecumhachtach nár léiccther an
t-ingreinntigh 7 an sgriostoir sin na hecclai si da hingreim no da sgrios doridhisi
amhail dorinne (.i. dotriall) roimhe. Et an tinneachadh tuccadh fair na raibhe
furtacht na fóiridhin dó dhe nogo scara a ainm re a chorp. Roeist Dia an itche
sin Ronain óir antan tainicc Suibhne go medhon Sleibhe Fúaid tarfás taidbsi
iongantaí^ dó a medhonoidhce .i. méidheadha maoilderga 7 cinn gan colla 7
siad ag siangal 7 ag gréchaigh imón slighidh anonn 7 anall et antan rainic-siumh
ettorra a medhón atcualaidh ag comhradh iad dar lais 7 asedh roraidhsett : Geilt
é, ar an céidchenn ; geilt Ultach, ar an dara cenn; a lenmhain, ar an tres cenn ;
gurab fada an lenmain, ar an cetramhadh cenn ; nógo ria an fhairrge, ar an
cúiccedh cenn. Rofhersat an guth a n-aoinfeacht chuige uile. Rothóguibh
rompa da gach muine for a chéile 7 gerbó mor an glenn nothegmadh fris ni
j-iubhladh-somh é acht nolingedh do bheinn na tolcha for a céile. Acht ata ni
cena rocaith-siumh a aimser an ccein romhair ar buile 7 ar gealtacht tré easgaoine
Ronain, 7 fuair bás do rinn (amhail innises a stair féin)1 amail dosir Ronán ar
Dhía gonadh é sin adhbar bhuile Suibhne tre easonoir an chléirigh.

1 in margin.

BRUSSELS MS. 177

[Cap. IV.]

As amhlaidh so fuair Suibhne bás do rinn. Feacht n-aon dia ndeachaidh
Suibhne 7 sé for a gealtacht gonicce an áit a bfuil Tech Moling mar a raibhe
Moling. Is annsin robhaoi Moling ag teccuscc luchta an léighinn 7 tainicc an
gheilt for srath na tioprad 7 robaoi ag ithe bioruir. As mochlongadh sin, a
ghealtacáin, ar Moling, 7 doronsatt an láoidh :

Moling cc. : Mochtráth sin a ghealtacáin

ré cceileabhradh cóir.
Suibhne : cidh moch lat-sa a chleirecáin

táinicc teirt ag Roimh. 7 rl.

Et doraidh Moling ris :l Ca fios duitsi cá cuin (.i. uair no aimser) tig teirt ag
Roimh. Fios dogeibhim om tigerna, ar se, gacha maidne 7 gacha nóin. Innis
duinn sgela do Dia, ar Moling. Ata fios aguibh fein, a Moling, ar sé. Cred
fodera duitsi mh'aithne ? ar Moling. As meinic me ar an bfaithche-si, ar Suibne,
7 ni deinim comnaidhe i n-áonáit. Cionnus eile, ar Moling, a bfuighe tu trocaire?
Dogébh, ar Suibhne, óir ni thabhair pein form acht beith gan fos nó comhnaidhe.
Dia ttegthá asteach dogebtha proinn aguinn. As doilghe lem a bheith gan brat,
ar eisiumh. Dogebhair-si mo chochall-sa nó mo bhrat, ar Moling, madh áil let.
Doronsat tres iomagallmha 7 chainnte re ceile mar sin 7 dofhiarfaidh Moling
de : cáit a ttig do saoghal ? ar se. Aodhaire dod muinntir-si marbhus mé, ar
Suibhne.2 As fochen do thoidheacht, ar Moling, óir atá a ndán duit bheith annso
7 do sgela 7 th' imtheachta d'fagbáil ann, 7 th' adhnacal a reilicc fireoin 7 cid
mór sirfi-si (.i. do siubhal) gach láoi, ar se, tair gach easparta chuccam-sa go
sgriobhthar do sgéla lem. Robaoi Suibhne ré bliadhna for. samhla sin 7 gibe
haird d'áirdibh na hErenn a ttéigedh gach laoi nobiodh um easpurta gacha nóna
ag Moling.

Roordaigh Moling don bhanreachtaire proinn bhecc do thabairt dó risin ré
sin 7 as amhlaidh doniodh an bhanairgheach, doéáitedh a cos a mbualtrach do
leith imeal na búailedh 7 dodhoirtedh bainne a n-ionaidh a coise 7 dothigedh
Suibhne dia caithemh sin go faiteach fuireachair, go ttárla lá airithi iarsin
iomcháinedh idir mhnaoi an bhuachalla 7 ben eile go roraidh an bhen eile
fria-si gurab olc an gniomh doghniadh narbh an/zsa le a fer féin iná an gheilt
dobaoi aga tahaz'^e risan mbliadhain sin. Co rochuala siur an bhuachalla sin
roinnis dó amhail adchuala 7 san laithe arnamarach táinic Suibhne amhail
dognathaigedh 7 baoi ag ól bainne 7 innisidh a siur don bhuachaill anni cedna
amhail roinnis roimhe et tig an buachaill amach 7 lethgha lais 7 fuair Suibhne ina
luighe 7 sé ag caithemh a phroinne 7 tucc sathadh don lethgha fair as a láimh

1-2 This is a close paraphrase of the metrical version, see p. 138 supra.

N

178 BRUSSELS MS.

gur cuir trid. Adchonnairc cleirech do muinntir Moling dobi ag búain cluig
primhe anni sin 7 dorinne an laoidh :

Trnagh sin a mhucaidh Moling
dorignis gniomh talcair tinn
mairg do marbh a los a neirt
an ri, an naomh, an naomhgeilt. 7 rl.

Dochuaidh an cléirech mar a raibhe Moling 7 roinnis dó amhail rogonadh
Suibhne. Tainicc Moling guna chleirchibh gus an ait a raibhe Suibhne 7
rohongadh leo é 7 tuccadh corp Christ dó 7 roaltaigh-siumh a caithemh. Tainicc
an buachaill cuca 7 adubairt Suibne fris gurab olc an gniomh dorinne a marbadh
gan adbar. Da ffesainn-si go madh tu nobheith aim ní ghonfainn tú, ar an
buachaill. Mallacht Chriost ort, ar Moling ris an mbuachaill, as olc an gniomh
doronais 7 gairde saoghail duit 7 ifrenn fa deoigh. Ni fhuil tarbha damsa dhe
sin, ar Suibhne. Dogebhair-si éraic mhait, ar Moling .i. beith i nimh maille
frimm-sa duit. Tainicc nell do Suibhne iarsin 7 rotoccba^ a leacht le Moling
7 leis na cléircibh. Eirgis Suibhne as a nell 7 rogabh Moling a lámh ina laimh
7 rangattar rompa go dorus na cille 7 tucc Suibne a guala re dorus na cille 7
roleicc osna mór as 7 dochuaidh a ainim dochum nimhe 7 rohadhlaicedh a chorp
go n-onoir 7 go n-airmhidin ag Moling, gurab amlaidh sin fuair bás do rinn tre
mallacht Ronáin.

[ 179 ]

GLOSSARY OF THE RARER WORDS

[The references are to the pages]

abairt a feat, n. pi. abarta 2.
ablacbóg dim. of ablach, belo?igi?ig to

the apple-tree 64.
adhbba habitation 50.
adhbronn ankle 142.
adiu hence 14.
adúas has been eaten 94; see Wind.

Worterb. s.v. dúad.
adúdb 54; see Notes, p.
áegbaire a herdsman 140.
áenoires ? 54: see Notes, p. 167.
áerdha aereal 50, 52.
aiccept instruction, a lesson : g. s.

aiccepta 136.
Siicill preparation, lying in wait 156.
aidhbhle fastness 98.
aidmilliudb 72, v.n. of admillim /

destroy: see Notes, p. 169.
aigh ice 114.

aimbles disadvantage, hurt 146, 148.
ainriocbt (anricht) evil plight 42.
airchinnecb 28, 50, 82; see Notes,

p. 164.
airchisseeht, see oirchissecht.
airdhena signs, tokens 2.
aire heed, attention 84.
airfidiudh music, minstrelsy 56.
airide high seat, dais; g.s. airidhni

62.
airittiu reception, airittin 146.
airiugudb. perception 50.

N

airlech slaughter, inf. of air-sligim

oirlech 130, airligidh 68.
áirne a sloe no, n. pi. airnidhe 22.
áirnechán little sloe-tree 64.
aisseola for ois-seola ? deer-tracks 90 ;

cf. oisbherna 92.
aitchim Z entreat 122, 156.
kith, sharp, keen 114.
aitbétrom keen and light [footed), very

light 16.
aitbfégbadb. 124 v.n. of ath-fégaim /

regard.
aithgein counterpart, equivalent 122,

132.
aithgbealtacht re-madness 122.
aithigidb. act of visiting 42, v.n. of

aithigim.
aitbmire re-madness 128.
aitten furze, g.s. aitin 120.
alchuing a rack or shelf for arms 142.
allata 112; see Notes, p. 171.
&\lmvLY aha. foreign 52, 104.
ammus an attempt 42.
an splendid 6, 152.
anaitbnid (anaichnid) unknown 10S.
anall hither 14.
anba huge, terrible 6.
anforbtbe imperfect 114.
anforus unsteadiness, restlessness 46.
anmaoin .i. mioscais hatred, pique
P. O'C. 56.

180

GLOSSARY OF THE RARER WORDS

ansádhal unsettled, uncertain no ;

ansádhaile 132.
ansochair unquiet, comp. ansocbra 132.
ansódh unhappiness, g.s. ansóidh 28.
antuiccseach. not under standing 74,

from tuigse understanding.
and 44 ; see Notes, p. 166.
aobh beauty, form 58.
aonaidhe? 70, P. O'C, citing this tale,

has aonaidhe .i. aonar one person,

alone.
arberim bith / partake of, I use,

airbhirinn b. 38, roairbir b. 36.
argain plundering, reaving, n. pi.

airgni 24.
arim for ar mo 42.

asglann a load borne o?i the shoulder 24.
astadh v.n. of adsuidim / hold fast, I

bind 8.
athach gáeithe a blast of wind 104.
athaigh a space of time 6.
atchar expulsion 6 ; v.n. of atcuirim.
athghlasán very greeji one ? 64 ; see

foot-note, p. 65.
athlam active, n. pi. athlumha 18.
athtuirseach very weary 34.
athtuirsi great weariness 34.
atrochair he fell 58 ; cf. dorochair,

used as perf. of dotuitim J fall.

báeghal danger, hazard; atab. aonmbna
sunna agad there is but one woman
here before you 50; cf. baegul échta,
gl. to Acallamh na Senórach, ed.
Stokes.

báeithgeltacht /iv>-<w/.f madness 84.

báethbenn a wild mountain -peah
baithbendaib 86.

báethréim a -wild course, baeithrei-
mennaibh 130.

báigh co7itention 60.

báire a goal 30.

bale strong 70.
banchoig a woman-cook 142.
banchuire a band of women 16.
bandál a tryst with a woman, an

asse?nbly of wo?nen 16.
banna a drop 52, 56; see Notes,

p. 167.
bantracht a band of women no.
barclán quite full, crowded 30 ; bare

.i. iomad O'Cl., see also gl. to Cath

Catharda.
barrchas curly-haired 100.
bathais the crown <f the head 24.
béiceadhán little screaming o?ie 62, 82,.

from bécim / roar.
beittid 20, 3 pi. 1 fut. of subs, verb; for

instances of this form see Strachan's

Subs. Verb, p. 61 .
benaccán 50, 84a ^/^(Contributions),

here apparently used as a dim. oi ben

a woman.
benáil act of cutting 90.
bendachad a benediction 134 ; here a

blessed site, i.e. a place that had been

blessed through a saint dwelling

there,
benghág a wrinkled, haggard woman ?

86.
benn a peak, antler- point 78 ; see

Notes, p. 169.
bennachtach blessed ? 66.
bennán a young buck, a calf 62, 82.
bennin a little peak or point, n. pi.

beinnini 80.
bern a gap 64.
bert effort, deed 56.
bertin a little butidle 88.
bethe the birch-tree 66, 70.
biatach a victualler, biatachaibh 52.
biathadh act of feeding 60.
bil good, blessed 40, 102, 120.
bine crime, sin ? 34.

GLOSSARY OF THE RARER WORDS

181

biororán dim. of bioror watercress 116.
biorragán? a plant name 22: Cameron

(Gaelic Names of Plants) has biorrag,

equisetum hiemale, dutch rush or

shave-grass,
bioth in phr. tar gach mb. everywhere

30 ; cf. tria bithu and tria bithu sir.
blicht milk, g.s. blechta 114.
bloisgbéim a resounding blow 124.
borr vast, mighty g.s. buirr 70.
borrfadach swollen, elated, proud 66.
bothleaptha a hut-conch ? 92.
breac-bán speckled-white: see Notes.

p. 161.
breacegair variegated 52, from breac

speckled and eagar arrangement 52.
breacsról variegated silk 104, ioó.
brecbhern a gap with many tint* 92.
brégaireeht barking, yelping 76.
brétaim / break up, 3 pi. perf. ind.

robhretait 118.
brugaid a land-holder, a hospitaller

52. 102.
bruiden a hostel g.s. bruighniu 62.
búabhall a buffalo, wild ox 52.
búabhallda ?nade of buffalo horn 10.
búaidre deafness, confusion 30.
búaile a milki?ig yard, cattle fold 142.
búain act of reaping 60.
búaltrach cowdung 142, 144.
búar kine 82, 86.

buile frenzy, ecstasy, madness, vision, 2.
builidh flourishing , joyous 1 04.
buinne a torrent, a wave 124.
buiredhach roaring, bellowing no.
búiredhán little bellowing one 62, 82.
búrim I roar ; 3 pi. perf. ind. robhuir-

set 14, v.n. búriudh 62.

cabhán a cavity, a hollow 14.
cacht ( 1 ) boruiage, constraint, (2) a fast,
hu?iger 20, 48.

cadadh 54 : see Notes, p. 167.

cadhan barnacle goose, wild goose 108.

cádus veneration, g.s. cadhasa 96.

cáeirechán dim. of cáerech consisting
of berries 64.

cáelmhuine narrow copse, shrubbery,
68.

cáera a sheep 76, 116.

cáerthann rowan-tree 64.

cáidh revered, holy zb, 140.

cair a fault 8.

calg-dét a tusk-hilted sword 104.

caoilsnáithaide slender-threaded 10.

carrmhogal carbuncle 10.

casnad a particle ; n.pl. casnaidhe
shavings, chips 18.

ceirteach a ragged garment 30.

cennach buying, a bargain 88.

cennacht headship 88.

ceólán a little bell 134.

cerc-fráech, a grouse 152.

cert a rag 38, dim. certin 88.

cethern kerne, foot-soldiers 112.

ciamhair gloom, sadness 24.

CÍar brown, dark 66, 1 08.

cich a pap, a teat d.pi. cigibh 58.

cith-ainbthenach a shower with storm
100.

cladh a ditch, rampart 56, 98.

clannaim I plant, 3 s. perf. with infix,
pron. of 1 s. romchlann 40.

class a hollow ; do chlais chúil to the
hollow of the poll, i.e. nape of neck
124, cf. im chlaiss a chúlaid, Contri-
butions s.v. class.

clithar shelter, cliuthar no.

clithardhlúith a close shelter 14, 82.

clithmharán dim. of clithmar sheltered,
snug 66.

cliu the left, left side 10.

cloc 96 ; see Notes, p. 170.

clocnadart a stone pillow 92.

182

GLOSSARY OF THE RARER WORDS

clochsnechta hail 92.

clúmh. down, plumage 18, 46, 48, 118.

cnaipe a button, cnaipidhibh 10.

cness skin, surface 136.

cnú a nut n. pi. cná no, 116.

cnúas nuts 136.

cochlán a little hood 138.

cóemhna protection 38.

coill in phr. dul fon ch. to go as an

outlaw 150; see Contributions s.v.

caill.
colbha a post, pillar, doorpost, bedpost,

bedside 62.
colcaid 46, 58; see Notes, p. 167.
coll hazeltree, hazelnut, call 136, dim.

collán 64.
collan 40, ? for colainn body ; see

Notes, p. 166.
comha a condition 12, n. pi. comhada

18.
comscirce protection 8.
comhaitte (comfhaide) equal length

146, 150.
comól a drinking together 152.
comramach combative, trimnphant 112.
comthocht companionship 24.
congab state, condition, ace. s. congaib

132.
congna horn, antler 144.
conmir a dog's meal 12Ó.
conúachtus 100; see Notes, p. 171.
corbaim I defile, maim, romchoirb 108.
cornairecht horn-blowing 78.
corr (1) a heron g.s. cuirre86, 102 ; n.pl.

corra 76 ; g. pi. corr 96 ; d. pi.

corraibh 40; (2) pointed, round, n. pi.

corra 84, 154.
corracht unsteadiness 12.
corrchennach ? 72.
corrghaire the cry of a heron 76.
corthar a fringe, cortharaibh 66.
cortharach fringed 4.

crádim I tormeiit, romchráidh 6.
cráesfhairsing^awo: wide open 100.
crannacht decrepitude 1 2 .
creabhar a woodcock 74, 102.
creamh wild garlic 22.
creamhlus wild garlic 116.
creamthanán dim. of cremthann a fox

74-
creg a rock 96.
creic a selling 26.
creim a gnawing 74.
crionach dry sticks, faggots 104.
criothugud tre?nblmg 66.
criss a girdle, g.s. creasa 30 (but see

Dinneen s.v. creas), n. pi. creasa

loins 94.
crithach the aspen-tree 66.
crithedlacb. trembling} 98; cf. crith-

ánach and crithoman, gl. to Cath

Catharda.
crocairecht (crochairecht ?) the cry of

the badger ? 78.
crochbán deathly pallor} 138; the

MS. has cróchban, but the metre

requires crochbán ; see cróch and

cróchderg, Contributions,
cróderg blood-red 130.
crónán a humming 58.
cronnghlachán a round little handful

94.
cruadhchomaidh hard company ? 96.
cruadhlom hard and bare 82.
crúadhluirgnech hard-shanked 96.
crúadhmhucaidhe 154 ; see Notesr

P- 173-
crúaidhghuilbnech having a hard beak

96.
crúaidhleadhbach hard and ragged

96.
cruaidhleidhb a hard slattern 128,

ledb an untidy person.
crúaidhrinn a hard point 10.

GLOSSARY OF THE RARER WORDS

183

crúandatha saffron colour 130.

cruthailde 96 ; see Notes, p. 170.

cúach a bowl, a cup 52.

cúairt f. a circuit, g.s. cúarta 98.

cúan a pack of wolves 1 10, cuanaibh
40.

cúartugudh. wandering round, search-
ing 134.

cubar a bird of prey, n. pi. cuifir 20.

cuchairecht cooing 152.

cuchtach shapely 30.

cufir see cubar.

cúi a cuckoo 32.

cuibhdhe agreement, sympathy, com-
panionship 84, 112 ; see Notes,
p. 170.

cúicherán P. O'C. lias singing of
cuckoos, cooing of doves, lowing of
kine, &c. 62.

cuilenn holly 66, 1 10.

cuin when ? .i. úair no aimser L, 138.

cuing a yoke 2, 96, cuing n-imeachtair,
see Notes, p. 170.

cuirm ale 62.

cumaim I form, dochum 150.

cumair brief, here a summary 62.

cumann companionship 108.

cumma for cumbe cutting 64, shape,
fashion 18.

cumus power, control 82.

custul next to, close to 10.

daiger a blast of fire, a furnace 114.
daith swift, eager 68.
damghaire a herd of stags ? 58.
damhghairecht the belling of stags

78.
damim / grant.t I yield 2 s. pres. ind.

dámha 64.
damhradh stags 14, coll. of dam.
dé smoke, ace. s. diaidh 54, see Notes,

p. 167.

deacar hardship, deacraibh 62.

dédla bold, valiant 68.

deinmneadach hasty 4.

deithidin care, a?ixiety 36.

dercon an acorn, n. pi. dercoin no,

116, 130.
dergnamha an implacable foe 74.
derthan a shower, a storm 114.
didine in phr. dia na haoine d. 32, 34,

g.s. of diden last.
difreagra unanswerable 112.
digeann outcome, end ? 144 ; see Magh

Rath, p. 216 and Laws Gl. s.v.

dicend.
dilghenn extinction 6.
dímhíad dishonour, g.s. dímhíadha

122.
dímigin co?ttempt, reproach 122, g.s.

dimigni 4.
dingim I force, I crush, nodhingedh

142.
dioghainn protruding, defensive 24 ;

cf. tres in ndeirg ndruimnig, Battle

of Magh Rath, p. 152 ; see gl. to

Cath Catharda, copious, abundant.
diogháir fervent, zealous 18, .i. dian

P. O'C.
diol disposal 24.
dith destruction, ruin 6.
dithreb a desert 34.
diubhracaim (dibairgim) I cast, I throw,

rosdiubhraic 10.
diule (diliu) com p. of dil dear, beloved

42.
dligtheachán dim. of dligtheach

lawful 80.
dobhar darkness, gloom 14.
dobrán an otter 8.
dochnáidh ? 132; cnáidh I take to be

from cnáim, / gnaw, fret, pine,

Contributions,
docomhul a difficulty 118.

184 GLOSSARY OF THE RARER WORDS

-dom for -dam, for O.I. -ta or -da,

I s. pres. ind. (neg.) of the copula

nidom 28, 30, 40 ; cf. nidat 2 s. 64,

nidot 3 pi. 48.
domacht 12, P. O'C. quoting the stanza

in which it occurs here has scarcity.

fewness, my curse on Suibhne a full

reward.
dománuig 3 s. pret. and perf. of do -ice

comes, with infix, pron. of 1 s.
domeccad 30 ; this seems to be 3 pi.

pres. ind. of do-icc comes, with infix.

pron. of 1 s., do-m-eccad.
domelim / eat, 2 s. pres. subj. tormalla

138, notoimledh 154.
domheilte 72 ?
donálach yelping 152.
dord belling 34, dordán 152.
doroidnacht 3 s. perf. ind. of doindnacim

/ bestow 8.
dos froth, scum O'R. 138 ; O'Dav. has

dos .i. doinnim unfortunate.
dotachuisin 88, see Notes, p. 170.
dreachsolus with bright face 104.
dreann a fight 102.
dréim an attempt 92.
drerah&n fierce, angry 20.
dreollán a wren 132, 134.
dris a bramble, a briar, n. pi. dreasa

30, no, drisi 108, driseóg 64.
drochammus a wicked attack , drochaim-

sibh 2.
droigen blackthorn, n. pi. droigni 108 ;

droighnéin 64.
druimnechdg 64 dim. of druimnech

arched, curved, undulating (or per-
haps with knots or knobs) ; see S. na

Rann, 4516, 5388 ; see also Gael.

Journal 1909, p. 169.
dualaig vice, sin, doalcibh 2.
duarcus sternness 100.
dubhlén black {intense) woe 92.

dúil an element 132.

dúnárus a dwelling 36 n. pi. dúnáruis

50-
dursan (dirsan) sorrowful, alas! 34.

eadarbmias hovering 42.

eadarnaigh (etarnaid) an ambuscade,
a lying in wait 156 ; ethannaidh for
etarnaidh ? 144; see Notes, p. 173.

eala a swan, ealaib 34.

earrchaidhe vernal 98.

eatarfhásach an interspace 142 ; for
other instances of the word see gl. to
Cath Catharda.

éc death, éccuibh 30.

éc&lma, feeble 100.

éccaointeach mournful, plaintive 124.

écht heroic exploit, murder 144, g.s.
échta 96.

écert injustice 38.

écomhuart unequal strength, feeble-
ness 48.

égemh an outcry, an alarm 4, 6.

eidhinn ivy 66.

eidhneachán dim. of eidneach full of
ivy 66.

éimh^ ? 40.

eing (eng) track, footstep 126.

eire (ere) a burden 86.

eite a wing, e. an bhrait 4.

eitilfiight 134.

ell advantage, opportunity ; with
gabaim ; gabhaid uile a eill 68, cidh
'mongeibhe mh'e. 72, luath noghei-
bhedh m'e. 74 ; cf. cona ragbat
demhnu m'ell, Birth and Life of
Moling, ed. Stokes, p. 52 ; Imraidi
iarum Cuirrech modh nodgabad eill
for Find, Kennes Dinds. p. 49.

elltedg a small hind or young doe,
P. O'C. 68: from eilit.

enechrus see oinechtreas.

GLOSSARY OF THE RARER WORDS 185

énlaith coll. birds (én'flaith) no.

€01 hotne 1 6, 24.

eólach knowing 86.

«olchaire a longing for home, home

sickness 64 ; see Voyage of Bran,

1, p. 41.
érgna noble, famous 18.
éric a fine, satisfaction, blood fine 146,

150.
érlumh a patron 2.

esparta vesper-time; see Notes, p. 165.
étach clothes, ettaighibh 52.
«thaid a bird 10, 52; P. O'C, citing

the present tale, has a wild beast or

fowl.
ethannaidh ; see eadarnaigh.
étrom light of weight, compar. ettromó

44-

faitech cautious 142.
fál a wall, fence, hedge 142.
fán-glenn a sloping valley 62.
fáoinnel (fóindel) a straying 4, 14, 28,

102, 124.
fáon supi?ie 20.

feadóg a plover g.s. feadóige 104.
fedghaire a shrill cry 104.
feithemh watching 140.
femar some kind of waterplant 1 16.
ferán-eidhinn a turtle-dove 74,

féránn-e. 152.
fern the alder tree 64.
fian warrior bands 24, 94.
finndlochtán a fair little bunch 94.
fionnghagyazr and wrinkled ? 86.
fionnmhuir white sea 92.
firmaimlnt firmament, g.s. firmaminnte

14, iirmaiminti 22.
fochann cause 2.
fochraic a reward, fochraicciu 2.
fochuidmedh mocking, flouting 10.

fodhord a mur?nuring, conspiracy ic8.
fogha a short spear 10, 12.
fogharán dim. of foghur sound 80.
folach concealed 154.
folúamain flight 2, 4, 14, 102, 124 ;

folúaimhnech 2.
foradhán dim. of foradh shelf, seat

80,
forbrechtrad variegation 10.
fordorus lintel, outer door 44, no.
fordul error 112.
forfaire watching 80.
forlés a skylight 42, 62.
formadh ? 52; see Notes, p. 167.
fosaidh steadfast 20.
fotha a foundation 30.
fothlocht some kind of waterpla?tt,

perhaps brooklime 22, 24, 70, 116;

see Stories from the Tdin, ed.

Strachan, s.v. fochlocht.
fraisnéll a showery cloud 22.
fraissine a storm with rain 90 ; from

frass a shower and sin storm.
freislighe a lying down with 78.
fritháilim I attend, I wait on ; perf. ind.

1 s. rofriothálus 70, 3 s. romfrithái

Maim noise n. pi. fuamanna 14.

fualang frenzy, giddiness ? 2, 14 :
P. O'C. citing the Buile Suibhne
has distraction, derangement, mad-
ness ; see also Fled Bricrind
(Windisch), p. 263, 1. 18, and Battle
of Magh Rath, 230, 232.

fúathróg a girdle 10, 104, 106 ; see gl.
to Tain, ed. Windisch.

fuilech bloody 52.

fuirgim (fuirigim) I delay; romfuirgedh
36, 86.

fuit cold 40.

fuithir land 62.

furechair watchful 142.

186

GLOSSARY OF THE RARER WORDS

gainemh sand 156.

gáisidech hairy 122.

gamhnach darach ? 66.

gaoinemh ? 56 ; cf. gáine = gaoine a
prank, Duanaire Finn, p. 25 ; also
gáine .i. maith, O'Cl.

gaoithsnechta wind-driven snow 90.

gealtagán dim. from gealt 108, 134,
136.

gealtdg dim. from gealt 108.

gee a branch, a bough, g.s. géicce 30,
n. pi. géga 30.

géibenn a gyve 60.

geilt f. a madman 26, 30, 40, &c. ;
the word seems to have been applied
specially to a crazy person living in
woods, a ' wild man of the woods ' ;
also endowed with the power of fly-
ing; see Introduction, p. xxxiv, foot-
note 2. Cf. volatiles .i. gealta, Chron.
Scotorum, p. 122; see also Macbain's
Dictionary, geilt .i. folúamhain.

geilt glinne; see Notes, p. 166.

géire sharpness, harshness 1 16.

geis a prohibition no; ace. pi. gesa
102.

gen a smile 40.

genidecht goblin-like 14, from genit a
goblin, a sprite.

gerc a cormorant, g.s. gaircce 104.

gioghrann the barnacle duck 86.

gláedh a shout, call 102 ; see Saltair
na Rann 1290, 6554, 6794.

glaismhin green-mead 90.

glaisreódha shining with frost 90.

glansrotach abounding in clear streams
130.

glas green, grey, the sheen of reflected
light, as applied to a sword, &c, 22,
30.

glasán see foot-note, p. 65.

glédenn bright- coloured 58.

gledrán cuckoo-flower 32.
gledrdha luminous, bright 88.
golfortach. lamentation 124, cf. golfa-

dach, Lis. Lives, torannfadaclir

Ériu 11, pp. 157, 161.
gonim / wound, 3 s. perf. ind. with

infix, pron. of 1 s. romgett 70.
gorm blue, swarthy 90 ; see Notes,.

p. 170.
gort afield 86.

gothnaide from gothnat a little dart 68.
graigh a herd, a stud, g.s. groidhi 78.
greann gravel 88.
grechach screams 144.
greim, fuaras do gh. / was able .to catch

thee 68.
grinne a crowd of people 58.
guirt bitter 68.
guisedg a stalk, a straw 74.

iall (1) a flock, a herd, (2) a thong, a

bo?id; n. pi. ialla 30; see Notes,

p. 165.
iardraighe remnants, vestiges, after

effects 52 ; also iardaige, see gl. to

Lismore Lives,
iarmerge nocturn 152.
imchumang ( 1) very narrow 16, (2) close

confinement no; see Cath Catharda

5154-

imeachtair outer 96 ; cuing n-i. ; see

Notes, p. 170.
imrall (i mi oil) mistake, error 60.
imsniomh great trouble 62.
imthacmang act of surrounding 16.
ind end, point 114.
inga a talon, nail, n. pi. ingne 32, ingni

94-
ingreim persecution 122, ingreama 2.
ingrintidh a persecutor 122.
inmhe position, rank 134.
inne sensus 112.

GLOSSARY OF THE RARER WORDS 187

inneachadh vengeance 122.

innireach angrily 142.

iodhnaidhe awaiting, enduring 70.

ioinarchrúas great rigour 38.

iomargho deceit 112.

iomcháineadh a disputing 142.

iomchumang see imchumang.

iomlán very full, numerous no.

iomram a rowing 54.

ionfhúar cool, refreshing 80, no.

ionnailt a handmaid 106.

iosgad the hough or hollow at the back

of the knee 124.
ithcom, g.s. eatha 114.
iubrachán dim. of iubar yew 66.
iubraidhe of the natter e of yew ? 70 ;

but see iubrach in gl. to Acallamh

na Senórach (Stokes).

laghad smallness 104.

lámhaim / handle, I touch, romlamh-

aigh 94.
laoi steering oar, rudder 54.
láthar vigour, influence 132.
leacht tomb, 154, leachtán 156.
learg a slope, a plain 92.
leathgha lit. half-spear 144, but cf.

liathga Tain, ed. Windisch 5930.
legairecht for ledairecht (?) rending

76.
léige go 1. in the meantime ; O. I.

colléice, colléic 28, 30.
léimnech act of jumping 122.
lenamhnach persevering, stubborn,

obstinate 42, from lenamhain to

pursue.
lenn a mantle, a cloak, coat of an

animal, 78, lennin 80.
lennán a lover 46.
leptach bedding 22.
lesrach the thighs 124.
less a fold, an enclosure, ace. s. léis 76.

less a thigh, n. pi. leasa 94.

leth in phr. i 1. re by the side of,

helping

44-

li splendour, colour, beauty 64.

liach sad, piteous 28.

lineach lined 4.

linnghlas grey [shining) water 102.

linnúaine green-watered 102.

liosda importunate, irksome 42.

lomlán quite full, lomnán 20, 26.

lomnoclit stark-naked 8.

Ion a blackbird, g.s. luin 64, 76.

lonn strong, fierce 120.

los herds, produce generally ? see Gl.

to Laws, n. pi. lois 64.
los a 1. owing to, by dint of 122, 144.
lúaidhim / mention 150.
lúamgheilt leading madman ? 102 ;

lúam a pilot.
luirgnechóg little long-legged one ? 68.
lus bian? 22, 116 ; P. O'C, citing the

Buile Suibhne, has herbage, herb

viands.
lúth vigour, strength, g. s. lúith 122.
lúthmhairecht 1 5 2 , from lúthmar active,

vigorous.

ma 38, for mad good in composition

with following verb; see Stories fro//i

the lain s.v. mad.
mac tire a wolf 76.
máelderg bare and red, n. pi. maoil-

derga 122.
máethainder a tender ?naiden 48, from

máeth soft, tender and ainder a young

woman.
maethettrocht tender and bright 48.
máethnatoin 116 some kind of plant}

cf. maothán a twig, an osier, a bud

O'R.
mairgnech sorrowful 100.
niál noble n. pi. málla 52.

188

GLOSSARY OF THE RARER WORDS

malloghadh cursing 130.
mana a presage, an omen 62.
mannraim / destroy, 3 s. perf. ind. with

infix, prim, of 2 s. rodmannair 100.
marthain remaining, existence, life 54, ■■

58.

mas (mass) beautiful, elegant 20.
meabhail treachery, g. s. meablila

1 12.
meanmarán 72 little floury one}, men

meal, flour, but cf. menmar each

cáinte, Instructions of Cortnac, ed.

Meyer, p. 22.
meathach a weakling 142.
méide neck, trunk, n. pi. méidhedha

122.
nieigeallaigh bleating {of a goat)

méiligh bleating {of a sheep) 152.
meirbhnéll from meirb -weak and néll

a swoon 92.
melle (melde) atriplex, golden herb 22,

116.
menic often, compar. meince 84.
mennat a little dwelling, mennataibh

11S.
mennatán dim. of mennat 64, 134.
mennchrot a lute, a lyre 58.
mes acorns, fruit 132, 136.
mether clothes 108.
min gentle 54 ; tre mine gently 54.
minchomairt a broken ?nass 82, comairt

pounding, a mash.
mínén ? 64; the name of some plant,

m. muire occurs in the Metr. Gl.

(Archiv fur C. P., I) and in Hogan's

Luibhleabhrán as parsley plot.

meadow saxifrage.
miodh mead 82, 86.
miodhbhun 22 a plant-name ?, see

Dinneen s.v. miodhbhun.
miodlaocbda effeminate, timid 142.

miol inuighe a hare 134, 136.
mionbhrúar little bits 82.
mir a bit, n. pi. mirenna 42.
mochlongadh early eating 136.
moch.th.rath dawn, early hour 136.
móirédrocht very bright 118.
mdnann a whortleberry, crattberry

lib.
mónarán a hogberry, O'R. 94.
monúarán woe is me I 84.
mórmhonorach greatly toiling 2, monar

work.
mothar a woody swamp 14.
mothar-mhuine a dense thicket 24.
múaidh noble, glorious 44.
múich sadness 119, 120, 122.
múichneachus gloominess, misery 118.
muichnidhe gloomy 36.
muincirm a strait, a pass 44.
muinterrdha/WW/ijVr, fa?niliar 2.
muirn clamour 22.

naid (nait) for ináid than are 28, O.Ir.

indáte, oldáte.
náimhdidhe hostile 64.
nár noble, ?nodest 156.
neamhfann not weak 26.
néll a faint, a swoon 158.
nemhain 14, P. O'C, citing the Bmle

Suibhne, has .i. dasacht no mire

frenzy, madiiess, distraction ; see

Tain, ed. Windisch, p. 339.
nia a champion 40.
nochatfia for nachatb[h]ia 62, here fia

(bia) 3 s. fut. of subs. verb,
nothaidhledh 3 s. imperf. ind. of do-

aidlim (to-ad-ella) / visit 14, taid-

lenn 30.
nothaigtais for O. I. notéigtis, 3 pi.

imperf. ind. of tiagu I go 22.
núallan a wail 30.

GLOSSARY OF THE RARER WORDS

189

oáhar dun colour, but here the nipple
of the breast 144; cf. odar ciche,
Acall. na Senórach (Stokes), 3314.

óg voting, fresh, n. pi. úagha no.

oighreadb ice 18 ; see aigh.

oigreata icy, frozen 90.

oil reproach 148.

oinech honour, mercy, generosity 66.

oinechtreas apparently for enechrus
safeguard 84.

oirchill lying in wait 20.

oirchissecbt compassiofi 54, 76, 82, 84.

oireamh a ploughman, g.s. oiremhan
78.

oisbhern a deer -pass ? 92.

ong a groan, lament 40.

ore (?orca) the calf of the leg, oircnibh
124.

ord or do, sacred office 32, g.s. uird 106.

os a deer, n. pi. ois 64 ; ois allta wild
deer 134.

os air a bed, a litter 80.

osgur ignorant 74.

osnadach sighing 100.

prab sudden 46.

primb the canonical hour of prime,
g. s. primbi 144.

ráe afield, plain 120.

raithnecb a fern 80.

ráitsecb words, speech 138.

ráthaightbe guaranteed 140.

ratbmar fortunate, gracious 18.

rathonn a great wave 92 .

realtánacb starry 76.

reb sport, g. s. reabha 90.

rébaim 1 tear, 3 pi. perf. ind. rorébsat

30, v.n. rébad 30, 48.
renga the reins of the back, the loins,

reandaibh 88.

reód hoar-frost, g. s. reóidh 30, 76,

118, 126.
rinnglas blue-starred 20.
riocht shape 38, 132.
rionntanach 136; see Notes, p. 172.
riothugud racing 66.
rod violent, fierce 38.
roga choice, roignibh 22.
rombac great son :8.
rdn a seal 134.
rorer 38; this seems to be intended for

1 s. perf. ind. of renim I sell.
rúatbar onrush 24.
ruire a prince, chief tai?i 36.

sádhal comfortable, easy 46, 1 10, 134.
sádhudh a thrust 144.
sáeircbendaidb a noble leader ? 86.
sál heel 142.

sambad wood-sorrel 22, 1 16.
samblaim / liken ; rosamhlaidhedh a

righe fris 60.
sannsláidb a secret song} 96.
scátb ar s. for the sake of 2, 32 (?).
see hawthorn 28, <^.s. sgiacb 22.
sceanbaidhe/r/f^/j', thorny, fromscenb

a thorn 64.
scenbhgér prickly and sharp 1 16.
scendim I spring, rosging, 4, 10.
sceo and 64.
sciamdha beautiful 140.
seach in phr. ma s. = fa s. in turn

66.
sead a nest ace. s. seit 126; see

Dinneen s.v.
segbais a wood 120.
ségda stately 102.
ségonn an accomplished person, a

cha?npion 58.
séimh thin, smooth 18.
seimnecb riveted 10.

190

GLOSSARY OF THE RARER WORDS

seisbhéimnech resounding blow 124.

seisi a mate, companion 106.

seisreach a plo ugh- tea?n 78.

sen hap, chance, luck 66.

seng slender-, emaciated 50, g.s. singi

88.
sengbhlén slender groin 92.
sesc sedgy la?id 38 ; see Laws IV,

p. 144, 7.
sescenn « moor, fen, morass 38.
sésdán a shout, din, clatter 22, 124.
séselbe a tumult 124.
set wealth, a treasure 26, n. pi. seóide

118.
sgailp a cleft 22.

sgal cry, shriek 74, cf. léicid fead no
seal as, Oss. Soc. v, p. 30. See also
Dinneen s.v. seal and scol.
sgáthaighthe shunned, dreaded 140.
sgeachóir a haw, n. pi. sgeachóra

116.
sgeile pitiful, grievous 86.
siangal hootings, croakings 122, 124.
sibheanradh 76 mirth, laughter, jollity ,
P. O'C; see Ann. Four Mast. 1638.
sioball fibula, pin 4 ; in L it is glossed

dealg.
5ioc ice 126.

siomsán wood-sorrel 22, 116.
sionnach a fox 76.
síor-éighemb. a prolonged cry 124.
siorsan fortunate 70.
siregdba made of silk or serge, from

si ric silk, serge 52.
sirtheachán dim. of sirthech begging ?

(see gl. to Lismore Lives) 80.
sist a while 106, 122, 128.
slinnén a shoulderblade slinnenibh 124.
slinnlethan with broad blade 10.
smech a chin 62.
smér a blackberry no.
snath a thread 30.

snáthad a needle 52, 56.
snige trickling 136.
snimche grief, sorrow 34.
snomh 56 ; see Notes, p. 167.
snúadhamail having colour, beautiful

18.
socht silence, 112.
soclán full of prows, from soc a prow

SO-
soil (sail) the willow 70.
soinmech. prosperous 132.
solusghabáil blithely chanting 4.
so-mblas sweet -tasting 52.
so-dla good to dritik 52.
soraidh happy, successful 72.
srann a snore 38.
srath a brink 28, 82, 136.
sreabnaidheyi/wy, membra?iaceous 10.
sreithegar 10, from sreth row, rank,

and egar order, array.
sriobhúaine green-streamed, from srib

a stream and uaine green 118, 134.
srólda consisting of satin 52.
sruthfbairrge /Zrt? main, the sea 96.
stocairecbt trumpeting 78.
stúagaim / í»^//í/ 24.
stúaglúb a bow-loop no.
súairreach trivial, mean, weak 76.
su-aithnidh easily known 46.
su-aithenta (suaichenta) well known

102.
súanach sleepy 46.

sabh a fterry 64, subha craobh rasp-
berries 1 1 6.
surdlaigb leaping wildly 126; cf. nobid
ic surdlaig ina fiadhnaise Rev.
Celt. IX, 464.

tacba scarcity 108.

tadhall visit, approach 22, v.n. of
to-ad-ellim.

GLOSSARY OF THE RARER WORDS

191

táebh, with dobeir . . . fid he trusts in

16, 18, 42, 102, no, 122.
táes 1 s. pres. subj. prototonic of dotiag

I come 40.
taeth. 3 s. pres. subj. used as pret. of

tuitim I fall 144 ; táethus (taotus)

80 seems to be I s. fut. pres. of the

same verb,
tafonn act of hunting, chasing 8,

42.
táimhnél a faint, a swoon 154.
tairber 2 s. impv. of tairbrim (do-air-

berim) / bring forth 34.
táire reproach 126.
tairisi trust, loyalty 106.
tairnic 3 s. perf. ind. of tar-iccim /

end 48.
tais soft, easy 120.
talach ? 106.

talchair stubborn 144, talchaire self-
will 94.
taom a particle, a scrap 122.
targaid he offered 18, 3 s. imperf. of

do-aircim.
tarrachtain act of overtaking 100.
tasci come! 58.
tásg news, report 56, 58.
táthad union, addition 56.
tearbaim / sever, romthearbadh 26.
tecdmhnaccair evenit 2.
teibersin spurting 134.
tenn strong 78, 80 ; go teinne stoutly

12.
tenngharg strong and fierce 86.
terc scarce, n. pi. terctha for terca 48.
tesmholta characteristics, habits 62 ;

see Passions and Horn. p. 29; note the

variant testmolta.
tibim I smile 40.

tigedhus housekeeping, husbandry 54.
time fear 30.
tinnebradh sleep 38, 132.

tinnesnach hasty 124, 134, 136.
tiomghairim I ask, rothiomghair 156.
tiopra a well, g.s. tioprat 136, n. pi.

tioprata 80.
tlás weakness, cowardice 1 18.
tochrádh tormenting 8, 44.
tocht act of going 144.
tocht silence, stillness 58.
toich acceptable, compar. tocha 46,

142.
toici fortune 52.
toichim a course 10.
toirnech thunder, toirneachaibh 40.
toirrchim drowsiness 132.
toisg an errand, business 52.
tolg a bed 60, 62.
toll gaping, leaking 40, 52, 54.
tollaim 1 pierce, romtholl 28, tolladh

22.
tdrainn act of marking out, measuring

2.
torrchennach ? 72.
tothachtach wealthy 134.
trealmach equipped, armed 26, from

trelam tnilitary weapons, equipment.
tregdaim I pierce, I transfix, rotreghd

118, treaghdadh 22.
tréntdgraim a close pursuit 124.
tredrach strong 86.
triamhain sad 28.
troig a foot, n. pi. troighthiu 118.
tromthocht heavy [oppressive) silence

20.
túairgim / beat 34.
tucaitt cause 2.
tucc 156, used here as 2 s. imperv. from

dobiur I give, cf. Wb. ioa30.
tuilledh or tuillemh, inf. of tuillim /

earn, deserve 2.
tulmhong the surface, top 114, cf. co

ndechaid i tulmuing in talman, Magh

Rath, p. 152.

192 GLOSSARY OF THE RARER WORDS

turrag act of searching 22, from túrim
I search.

úallach proud 44.

úarán a well, a pool 80, n. pi. úaránna

úarsioc cold frost, g.s. úairseaca 90.
úathbás mortal terror 124.
uchbhadach groaning, sighing 100.
udmhaille unsteadiness, motion 14.

uilléngér hairing a sharp angle or

point 10.
uinnes the ash tree 66.
uiseóg a skylark 74.
urbhadach baleful 66.
urbaid bale 54.
urradhus 18 chieftainship, authority,

see Glossary to the Laws.
urrainn a point 144.
ursoinn threshold 158.

[ 193 ]

INDEX OF FIRST LINES OF POEMS

Suibhniu mac Colmáin romchráidh,

Mo mallacht for Suibhne,

A <5ga, tigidh a lie,

Cionnus sin, a Suibhne seing,

Bliadhain gus aréir,

Anocht is fúar an snechta,

Binne lem im na tonna,

Mh'aghaidh a cCill Der ffile,

An fer ag froig focherd srainn,

A Loingseacháin, liosda sin,

Súanach sin, a Eorann án,

A bhen dobheir aithne form, .

A Suibhne a Sleibh na nEach n-ard,

A chaillech an mhuilinn thall,

A bhennáin, a bhuiredháin, .

A bhen bhenus an biorar,

Duairc an bhetha-sa,

A Fhir Chaille, cidh dotharraidh,

I Muigh Line itu-sa anocht, .

Misgais, mairg duine dobheir,

Mairg fa ttabhraid mna menma,

Fuar anocht Benna Boirche,

Mor múich attú-sa anocht,

Eccaointeach atú-sa anocht, .

Ochán, as meisi Suibhne,

Sadhail sin, a gealtagáin,

All Fharannain, adhbha naomh,

Mochthráth sin, a ghealtagáin,

Truagh sin, a mhucaidh Moling,

Dorignis gniom, nach súairc sin,

Leachtán Suibhne sunn imne,

PAGE

6

12

16
18

H
28

32
34
38
42
46

50

52

60

62

84

90

100

106

108

112

114

118

124

130

134

136

136

144

146

156

[ 194 ]

INDEX OF PLACES AND TRIBES.

Airgeadros 106, on the Nore, p. of
Rathbeagh, Co. Kilkenny.

Alba 18, 46; Albanchaibh 94.

All Fharannáin 134 ; see Notes,
p. 172.

Ara ? 56.

Ard Abhla 48 ; Lisardowlin, near town
of Longford (Lismore Lives).

Banna 32, the river Bann.

Bairenn g. Bairni 78 ? Boirenn, The

Burren, Co. Clare.
Benn Bdghaine 82, 94 ; probably in

Tír Bóghaine, q.v. ; see Rev. Celt.

xvi, p. 153.
Benn Boirche 86, 114, 118, 142, 154;

the Mourne Mountains, Co. Down.
Benn Boirne 92.
Benn Faibhne 82, 140: Benevenagh

Mountain, to the E. of Lough

Foyle, near the mouth of the river

Roe.
Benn Gulbain 68 ; Benbulbin, p. of

Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo.
Benn Iughoine 94.
Benna Brain 128.
Benna Broc 78.
Berba 92, the river Barrow.
Bile Tiobradain 118.
Boirche 30, 48, 72, 98 ; see Benn B.
Bóruime 94, on the Shannon, near

Killaloe.

Breatain, Crioch Bhretan, 100, the

land of the Britons.
Búas 102, the river Bush, Co. Antrim.

Cam Cornáin 68 ; see Félire of Aengus

(1905), p. 54.
Cam Lift Lnirc 68.

Carraic Alustair 90, g. Cairrge A. 96.
Cell Cua 32.
Cell Derffile 34 ; St. Dervilla's Church

in W. of Erris, Co. Mayo ; see

Notes, p. 166.
Cell Lainni 2, 6 ; see Notes, p. 161.
Cell Lughaidhe 76.
Cell Riagain 16; see Notes, p. 162.
Cell Uí Súanaigh 48.
Cenél Ainmirech44 ; see Notes, p. 164.
Cenél Eoghain 98, Tyrone.
Cenn Tire 30. Cantyre, Scotland.
Clúain Boirenn 32 ; see Notes, p. 165.
Cluain Cilli 28, 32.
Clúain Creamha 50 ; in Dál Araidhe ;

see Notes, p. 167.
Conachail, g. Conachla 78, Cunghill,

p. of Achonry, Co. Sligo.
Connacht 82, 118.
Crích Gháille 118.

Crota Cliach 68: the Galtee Mountains.
Crúachán Aighle 30, 92, 120; Croagh-

patrick Mountain, near Westport.
Cuailgne 30, 40, 78, Cooley, Co.
Louth.

INDEX OF PLACES AND TRIBES

195

Dairbre 86. Three places of this name

are mentioned by Hogan (Onornas-

ticon).
Dál Araidhe 2, 14, etc.
Doire Choluim Chille 34, Derry.
Druim Cirb 38.
Druim Damh 36.
Druim Fraoch 36.
Druim Gess 136 ; there is a townland

named Drumgesh in p. of Balteagh,

Bar. of Keenaght, Co. L.derry.

There is another townland of the

same name in Co. Cavan.
Druim Iarainn 134, perhaps D. Iairn,

Drumherlin in Kilkieran district, Co.

Kilkenny ; see Hogan, Onom.
Druim Lorgan 106, probably Lurgan,

Co. Armagh.
Dun Cermna 92, on the Old Head of

Kinsale.
Dun Mail 80.

Dun Rodairce 92 ; see Notes, p. 170.
Dun Sobairce 82, 92, 128; Dun-

severick, Co. Antrim.

Echtge 118 ; see Sliabh E.

Eig g. Eghae 90, an island off the west

coast of Scotland.
Ella 78, Duhallow, Co. Cork.
Es Dubhthaigh 104; see Notes,

P- 171.

Es Ruaidh 142, Assaroe, on the Erne

at Ballyshannon.
Ettan Tairb 44 ; see Notes, p. 166.

Fiodh Gaibhle 62, 82, 130; Feegile, in
p. of Clonsast, near Portarlington.

Gabhal 130; the river Feegile, which
joins the Barrow near Monasterevan.

Gáille; see Crich G, also Glas G.

Glais Chille Cró 140.

Glais Gháille 120.

Glanamhrach 116; cf. Glendamrach,

Táin, ed. Windisch, p. 651.
Glenn Aighle 76, Glenelly nr. Strabane.
Glenn Bolcáin 22, 26 etc. ; see Notes,

p. 164.
Glenn Chiach 44; see Notes on G.

Bolcáin, p. 164.
Glenn Earcain 14. 16; see Notes,

p. 162.
Glenn na nEachtach ' in Fiodh Gaibhle, '

q.v. 62.

lie 30, Islay.

Imlech Iobhair 86, Emly, Co. Tip-

perary.
Innis Bó Finni 142 ; Innisboffin off the

coast of Mayo.
Innis Muredhaigh. 90, Innismurray W.

of Sligo.

Lagin 114.

Latharna 78, Larne.

Lethed Lain 80 ; perhaps Layd, Lr.

Glenarm, Co. Antrim ; cf. Reeves,

Feci. Ant., p. 83 ; cf. Four Mast.,

a.d. 622.
Life 1 20 ; see Magh L.
Line 76 ; see Magh L.
Loch Cúan 98, Strangford Lough.
Loch Diolair 34 ; Hogan, Onom. has

Druim Dilair, at Belleek.
Loch Éirne 92, Lough Erne.
Loch Léin 78, Lakes of Killarney.
Loch Ribh 118, Lough Ree.
Luachair Deadhaidh 132 ; Slieve

Lougher, near Castleisland, Co.

Kerry.

196

INDEX OF PLACES AND TRIBES

Máenmagh 118: the plain around

Loughrea, Co. Galway.
Magh Aoi 106, 120; Machaire Chonn-

acht, a plain in Co. Roscommon.
Magh Cobha 68 ; this was an ancient

territory in the S.-W. of the Co.

Down.
Magh Fail 48, Ireland ?
Magh Feadha 106 ? = Magh Fea, see

Hogan, Onom. s.v., also F.M.

a.m. 2527.
Magh Femhin 106, 118 ; in Co.

Tipperary, S. of Cash el.
Magh Li 106, 120, a territory on the

R. Bann between L. Neagh and the

sea.
Magh Life 106, the plain of the

Liffey.
Magh Line 104, 106, 120: Moylinny,

the plain between L. Neagh and

Carrickfergus.
Magh Luirg 106, 120; Moylurg, b. of

Boyle, Co. Roscommon.
Magh Mairge 114.
Magh Rath 4, etc., Moira, Co.

Down.
Midhe 98, 106, Meath.
Muirthemne 106, in Co. Louth ; see

Notes, p. 166.

Orbhraidhe 78, Orrery, a barony in Co.

Cork.
Osraighe 98, Ossory.

Rathmór 120 ; see Notes, p. 172.
Rath Murbuilg 82, Maghera, Co.

Down; see Reeves, Eccl. Ant., pp.

27, 154, 165, 207 ; hi táeb Sléibhe

Slánge (SI. Donard), v. Vita Trip.,

p. 120, and Index.

Róimh 136, 138 Rome.

Ros Bearaigh 14, 16,48,50; 'in Glenn

Ercain.'
Ros Chomáin 82, 90, Roscommon.
Ros Ercach 32.
Ros Ercain 30, 50, Rasharkin, Co»

Antrim ; see Notes, p. 162.
Roth (Rath) 140, see Magh Rath ;

cf. bellum Roth, A. U. 637 ; in bello

Roth, Reeves, Adamnan, p. 200.

Semhne 78, Island Magee, Co,

Antrim.
Sgirig Chinn Ghlinne 44.
Sil Eoghain 12, see Cenél Eoghain.
Siodhmhuine Glinne ? 34 ; see Notes,

p. 166.
Sionna 32, 98, 118 ; The Shannon.
Sliabh Bladhma 90 ; SI. Bloom.

Tipperary, 90.
Sliabh Breagh 120 ; in Co. Louth.
Sliabh Cúa 120; KnockmealdownMts..

Co. Waterford.
Sliabh Cuillenn 30; SI. Guillion, Co.

Armagh.
Sliabh Echtge 90 ; SI. Aughty, on the

borders of Clare and Galway.
Sliabh Eibhlinne 78 ; SI. Felim Mts.

in N. of Co. Limerick.
Sliabh Eidhnech 124, 126.
Sliabh Fúaid 44, 78, 120, 122. 130:

The Fews, Co. Armagh.
Sliabh Liag 38 ; SI. League, Co.

Donegal.
Sliabh Mic Sin 120.
Sliabh Mis 30, 39, 142 ; Slemish in
Co. Antrim ; there is another
mountain of the same name in
Co. Kerry.
Sliabh na nEach 52.
Sliabh Niadh 68.

INDEX OF PLACES AND TRIBES

197

Sliahh Uillinne 68; cf. Rev. Celt.

XVI, p. 38 ; cf. also Ard Uilinne, in

Crich Muiredaigh in Inis Eogain,

A. U. 764.
Snámh Dhá En 32 ; see Notes, p. 165.
Suca 118; the river Suck, between

Cos. Roscommon and Galway.

Taillten 98 ; Telltown, Co. Meath.
Teach Duiun 128; a small island W. of

Dursey Island, Co. Kerry.
Teach Moling 142; St. Mullins, Co.

Carlo w.
Teach Mic Ninnedha 50, in Dal
.Araidhe; see Notes, p. 167.

Tír Bóghaine 26. Barony of Bannagh,

Co. Donegal.
Tir Chonaill 26 : Tyrconnell, Co.

Donegal.
Tír Fíachrach Mhuaidhe 134, Tireragh,

Co. Sligo.
Tiupra na Gealta 154, 156.
Tdidhiu 80 ; see Notes, p. 169.
Tráigh Ruire 128.
Tuath Inhhir 48, here probably the

mouth of the Bann.

Ui Fáeláin 62, 1 10 ; in N. Kildare.
Ui Ninnedha 14, in Dal Araidhe.
Ulaidh 82, 104, 112 ; Ultachaibh 94.

[ 198 ]

INDEX OF PERSONS

Ailill Cédach, king of the Uí Fáeláin
io, 62, no, 112, 114; see Notes,
p. 168.

Alladhan, see Ealadhan.

Aongus Remar son of Ardgal 14.

Ardgal 14.

Bearach 2.

Brughach mac Deaghaidh 28.

Caoimhghin 136, 140, St. Kevin.

Colmán Cas 72.

Colmán Cúar 2, 6, 8, 10, 138, 158.

€olum Cille 18, 20.

Colum Cúile 2.

Conn Chiannachta 4.

Congal Cláen mac Sgannláin 4, 8, 18,

20, 22, etc.
Criodan 2.
Criomthann 2.

Bomhnall mac Aodha 6, 8, 14, 18, 122.
Donnán 90; see Notes, p. 170.

Ealadhan (Alladhan) 100, 102, 104.

Earclug 2.

Énna mac Bracain 144; see Notes,

P- 173-
Eochaidh Aincheas mac Guaire 102,

see Notes, p. 171.
Eochaidh. mac Condlo mic Sgannláin 44.
Eochu Sálbuidhe 56 ; see Notes,

p. 168.
Eorann, wife of Suibhne, 4, 6, 8, 10,

12, etc.
Érnainne 2.

Fáibhlen 28.

Eáelchú 36 ; see Notes, p. 166.

Farannán 134, 136; see Notes, p. 172.

Fear Caille 100.

Findealach 82.

Finnseng 82.

Forbhasach 82.

Fordhalach 82.

Furadhrán 10, 12 ; see Notes, p. 162.

Gúaire mac Congail 44.
Gúaire Mathra ? 102.

Laogaire 2.

Loingseachán 37, 42, 50, 52, 72.

Lonnóg 42.

Macnia 14.

Moling Lúachair 138, 142, 146, 148,

150, 154, 158.
Mongán 142, 146.
Muirghil 142.
Muredach 2.
Muredach mac Earca 50.

Niall 2.
Ninnidh 14.

Oilill Cédach ; see Ailill Cédach.

Rónán Finn 2, 4, 8, 10, 16, 42, 60, 66,
82 ; see Notes, p. 161.

Seachnusach 2.
Sgannlán 4, 20, 104.
Suibhne Geilt 2, etc.
Suibhneachán 72.

Telle 10, 12 ; see Notes, p. 162.

Uradhrán ; see Furadhran.
Urene 2.

IRISH TEXTS SOCIETY.

president

PROFESSOR DOUGLAS HYDE, LL.D., M.R.I.A.

Vice-presidents

The Right Hon. Lord Castletown.

The Most Rev. Dr. O'Donnell, Bishop of Raphoe.

The Very Rev. Thomas J. Shahan, d.d.

Rev. Professor Edmund Hogan, s.j., d.litt.

executive Council

Out-going Chairman— James Buckley, m.r.i.a.
In-coming Chairman — Thomas A. England, ll.d.

Mrs. Banks.

Edward Colllns, ll.d.

R. Flower.

Arthur W. K. Miller, m.a.

Ernest Rhys.

Hon. Gen. Sec. — Eleanor Hull.

Frank MacDonagh.
Mrs. Nutt ( ex-officio . )

T. W. ROLLESTON.

Professor E. Quiggln, f.g.c.c.
camb.

Assist. Sec. — J. Campbell.

Hon. Treas. — Samuel Boyle, 20 Hanover Square, London, W.
Publisliers to the Society. — David Xutt. 57-59 Long Acre, London, W.C.

Consultative

Professor Sir E. Anwyl.
Professor Osborn Bergln.
T.J. Flannery (T. O Flannghaile ).
Professor Henri Gaidoz.
Edward Gwynn, f.t.c.d.
Rev. Prof. Richard Henebry.

Professor Douglas Hyde, ll.d.,

m.r.i.a.
P. \V. Joyce, ll.d., m.r.i.a.

Committee

J. H. Lloyd.

Professor MacKinnon.

Professor John MacXeill, b.a.

Dr. Marstrander.

Rev. Canon Peter O'Leary, p.p.

Dr. Holger Pedersen.

Professor Slr John Rhys. p.c.

Prof. F. X. Robinson.

Prof. Dr. Rudolf Thurneysen.

Reports from Editors.

Besides Father MacErlean's and Mr. O'Keeffe's volumes
going through the Press the following reports have been
received : —

Mr. J. H. Lloyd reports that he has compared his copies
of the poems from the book of the O'Brynes from the T.C.D.
manuscript, with the photographs of the same poems from
the excellent Harvard manuscript generously supplied by
Professor F. N. Eobinson, of Harvard University. This
manuscript contains three additional poems to those in the
T.C.D. copy, and completes one poem incomplete in the
Dublin copy.

Miss Eleanor Knott reports that she has copied and
collated most of the available copies of the Poems of Teigue
" Dall " O'Higgin to be found in Dublin, but has not yet
begun to edit or translate them.

Mr. Thomas O'Nowlan reports that he has collated many
of the poems for his edition of the " Contention of the
Bards," and hopes to proceed upon the work with vigour
in the autumn. He is founding his edition on a good text
by Bernard Na Cuirnin (1712), in the Maynooth Collection,
but the large number of manuscripts to be collated makes his
work unusually laborious.

A report has also been received from Rev. George Calder,
M.A., Ph.D., saying that he had now cleared the way to
proceed continuously with his work on his proposed edition
of the Irish version of the Thebaid of Statius.

Final Volume of Keating's History.

The Council have been much encouraged by the recent
offer from one of their members of a generous donation of
£125 towards the production of the long-desired final
volume of Keating's History of Ireland. This volume, to
complete their edition, will contain indices of names of
places mentioned in the body of the History, with, so far
as is possible, identifications of place-names and the modern
equivalents of personal names ; also a map of early Ireland,
and the genealogies with which Keating concludes his work.

The editor of Volumes II. and III., Rev. P. S. Dinneen,
M.A., has undertaken this work; and it is hoped that
members who already possess the three volumes of the
History of Ireland will have the satisfaction of receiving
this further volume without loss of time.

Dictionaries.

The sale of the larger Dictionary has not been quite up
to the average of former years. This decrease is largely
owing to the production of the second and smaller
Dictionary, which is having a satisfactory sale.

The Council have to report, with special satisfaction, the
voluntary formation in America of a strong Branch Council
of influential Irish- American citizens and Celtic Professors
at the various Universities to assist the work of the Society
by bringing it to the notice of Irishmen and women in the
States. This useful project owes its inception to the kind
energy of Professor A. C. L. Brown, of North-Westem
University, Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A., who is himself
acting as Hon. Secretary and Treasurer to the American
Branch. The Branch Council, as at present constituted,
includes the names of : —

Win, J. Onahan (Chairman). Dr. Thomas O'Hagan.

Very Rev. John Cavanaugh. John Quinn.

Professor T. Peete Cross. Professor F. N. Robinson.'

Wm. Dillon. Very Rev. Thomas Shahan,
Professor Joseph Dunn. D.D.

Professor Ch. Mills Gayley. D. Ryan Twomey.

Professor W. A. Nitze. Professor A. C. L. Brown
.Michael 0 'Gallagher. (Hon. Sec. and Treas.).

The immediate result of the formation of this Branch
Council has been the influx of a large number of new
American subscribers to the Society, particularly in and
about Chicago, where Professor Brown's influence has been
especially exerted ; we have no doubt that this influence will
radiate outwards into other parts of the States as the several
members of the new Branch Council are able to bring the
Society before the notice of their Universities and friends.
The following is an extract from a Chicago paper of 24th
January, 1912: —

The Irish Text Society.
The addresses of Dr. Dillon, Assistant Corporation
Counsel for Chicago, and Professor Brown, of the North-
Western University, at the Irish Fellowship Club
luncheon last Saturday, should aid a good deal the
project to establish a Council of the Irish Text Society
Jhere in Chicago.

Dr. Dillon outlined clearly in his talk the three periods
in the literary history of Ireland, emphasizing the fact
that there are many valuable Irish manuscripts in
Dublin, in Brussels, and at Louvain University that are
awaiting the hand of the skilled and scholarly translator
in order that they may be done into English.

Professor Brown, who has made a close and special
study of Celtic at the Sorbonne, Paris, told how the
Irish Text Society was first founded and what its aim
and purpose is. He declared that it rested with the
Irish people to make the wealth of Irish literature
known — that b}; aiding the Irish Text Society movement
they would be doing a patriotic thing — something which
would reflect credit on the Irish race because of the
literary worth concealed from the world in these rare
Irish manuscripts. It may be well to state here that
subscribers to the Irish Text Society can do so by
forwarding their names with two dollars to Professor
Brown, 625 Calf ax Street, Evanston, 111.

The best thanks of the Council are due to Professor A. C. L.
Brown for his energy and interest, and to the other members
of the American Branch-Council for their readiness to
support his efforts.

It is hoped that this Branch-Council will from time to
time aid the Council at home by advising as to the selection
of books for publication which will meet the needs of Irish
men and women in America.

The number of effectual members on the register is 632.

Seven members have resigned during the year, and one,
Mrs. E. Lecky, is deceased.

Fifty-five new members have joined the Society in the
course of the year.

*1. J. F. Bowers, Esq. 14. P. J. Fleming, Esq.

*2. W. F. Brennan, Esq. 15. Daniel Fraher, Esq.

3. Gustav Burchardi, Ph.D. 16. Gaelic League, Limerick.

4. Gerald P. Byrne, Esq. *17. Professor Charles Mills Gayley.

(Shanghai). 18. Neville P. Godrill, Esq.

*5. Very Rev. John Cavanagh, C.S.c. *19. Dr. P. B. Hayes.
*6. Richard F. Condon. Esq. 20. Miss Mary A. Hollingworth.

*7. Hon. John D. Crimmins. 21. Irish Club, Johannesburg.

8. Dr. J. S. Crone, j.p. 22. Rev. Thomas Keappock.

*9. Professor Tom Peote Cross. *23. John J. Kinsella. Esq.
*10. Alfred T. De Lury, Esq. 24. E. W. Lynam, Esq.

(Canada). 25. Rev. P. D. McCaul.

*11. William Dillon. Esq. *26. Hon. John P. McGoorty.
*12. Professor Joseph Dunn. 27. Miss Ada McNeill.

13. M. Johannes Enschedé. 28. Mrs. Maude.

29. Rev. Dr. Molloy. »45. Rt. Rev. Richard Scannell

30. William Murphy. Esq., n.t. (Bishop of Omaha .
*31. Dr. Thomas O'Hagan. *46. Rev. James Aherne.

32. P. OMoore, Esq. *47. Rev. T. O'Callaghan.

*33. William J. Onahan. Esq. *48. Rev. D. P. Harrington.

34. Uilliam O'Rinn. *49. Rev. John Maher.

35. John Phillips. Esq., M.P. *50. Chicago Public Library (per
*36. John J. Poulton. Esq. Stevens and Brown).

37. D. Stack. Esq. *51. Miss Ruth Cady.

*38. Dohmnall Mac Suibhne. *52. Clifford A. Rohe, Esq.

*39. John Treaey, Esq. *53. John A. McGarry. Esq.

40. Miss M. Chenevix Trench. *54. William C. McKenna, Esq.
*41. D. Ryan Twomey, Esq. 55. Messrs. Slatter k Rose, Oxford.

42. D. F. Walsh, Esq.

*43. Woodstock College, s.J. (Those marked * are U.S.A.

*44. P. H. O'Donnell. Esq. Subscribers.)

Ten further members have joined since the Annual Meeting ; their
names will appear in next year's Report.

The adoption of the Report was moved by Mr. T. W.
Rolleston. He said that the Report was a most encouraging
one, and it was particularly pleasant that their American
Branch had made so successful a start, and he believed they
had by no means reached the limit of help they would get
from that quarter.

Mr. Charles R. Arlen, who is on a visit from the United
States, in seconding the motion, spoke very hopefully of the
prospects in America for the wide diffusion of the Society's
publications.

The Chairman, in putting the vote to the meeting, referred
to the very generous and patriotic action of the donor of the
large contribution mentioned in the Report, towards the
production of the fourth and final volume of Keating 's
" History of Ireland." He said that they looked forward to
a great development in the work of the Society during the
coming year.

The Report was unanimously adopted.

The Hon. Treasurer then submitted the Annual Financial
Statement.

THE IRISH TEXTS SOCIETY -FIHABCIAL STATEMENT,

Year ended 31si March, 1912.
THE SOCIETY'S ORDINARY PUBLICATIONS.

Receipts.

To Balance from pre-
vious year,
„ Subscriptions,
,, Donations,

Interest on Deposit

£ s. d.

192 18
207 18

27 15

6 2

£434 14 9

Disbursements.

By Editing, . . . .

,, Postage and Sta

tionery, . .
,, Printing,
,, Publishers, . .
,, Salary (Assistant-
Secretary),
,, Sundries,
,, Balance,

£ s.
40 0

d.
0

4 7

11 17

101 4

0
6
3

15 0
1 15

260 10

0
6
6

:434 14

9

BALANCE ACCOUNT.

Assets.

To Balance down : —
Cash in

Bank 254 10 6
Cash on
hand 6 0 0

Society's Share of
Stock,

260 10 6

Liabilities.

By Balance (including £ s. d.
subscriptions for
vols, not yet pub-
lished), . . . . 260 10 6

THE SOCIETY'S IRISH-ENGLISH DICTIONARIES.

Receipts.

Disbursements.

£ s. d.

£

s.

d.

To Receipts already

published, ..2601 16 7
Sales (net), . . . . 127 9 3

By Payments already

published, . . 2309
,, Printing and Binding 13
,, Postage and Sta-
tionery, . . . . 3
,, Sundries, . . . . 6

7
1

6
8

6
2

10

9

,, Salary (Assistant

Secretary) . . 15
„ Balance, . . . . 382

0
1

0

7

£2729 5 10

£2729 5 10

BALANCE

ACCOUNT.

Assets.

To Balance down : —

Cash in Bank, . .
,, Stock in hand,

£ s. d.
382 1 7

Liabilities.

£ s. d.
By Balance, .. . . 382 1 7

SAM BOYLE, Hon. Treasurer.
Examined and found correct.

E. W. LYNAM, > , ,.. ,

May 23rd, 1912. TOM AS D, MAC GEARAILT, f Auauor"'

9

The principal figures in the " ordinary volumes " account
were — Balance from last year, £192 18s. 8d. ; subscriptions,
£207 18s. 5d. ; donations, £27 15s. 7d. ; interest, £6 2s. Id. ;
total, £434 14s. 9d. Editing and other expenses, £134 4s.
3d. ; balance of cash on hand and in bank, £260 10s. 6d.
Against this very considerable balance it has to be stated
that it includes about 750 annual subscriptions for volumes
not yet issued. The dictionary statement showed — Balance
from last year (receipts already published), £2,601 15s. 7d. ;
sales, net, £127 9s. 3d.; total receipts, £2/729 5s. lOd. ;
payments already published, £2,509 7s. 6d. ; printing and
other expenses, £37 15s. 9d. ; balance cash in bank, £382 Is.
7d., making a total of £642 12s. Id. in bank. Mr. Boyle
gave some very interesting statistics of the work of the
Society, which showed forcibly the very wonderful success
that the Society has attained in the fourteen years of its
existence. In that period, he said, the Society had sold and
delivered to persons and institutions all over the world over
seven thousand volumes of old Gaelic literature from ancient
manuscripts never previously printed, edited by eminent
Gaelic scholars of the present day with English translations.
In addition to this wide distribution of Gaelic literature, the
Society sold eight thousand copies of their Irish-English
Dictionaries, which had gone to all the important libraries
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Continents of Europe r
America, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Africa. Last
year was the most successful year in point of members'
subscriptions paid, new members joined, and editorial
preparation for new volumes. It was hoped that with the
issue of the completing volume of Keating the four volumes
of Keating would form so attractive a possession that the
whole 1,400 sets of volumes now in the Society's stock would
find a rapid sale (especially in America) not only for private
libraries, but for University and other public libraries, and as
prizes for competition at Feiseanna. The Society had
altogether received from members' subscriptions about
£2,000, and for donations to Editorial Fund, £128 9s. 5d. ;
while they have paid for editing, altogether, for their annual
volumes, £300. They had on hand a stock of about 8,000
ordinary volumes and 2,000 Dictionaries. Mr. Boyle added
that the work of the Irish Texts Society was, therefore, a
very important part of the Gaelic movement.

Mr. A. P. Graves seconded the adoption of the financial
report.

The financial report and balance-sheet were passed.

10
Election of Officers.

The officers were re-elected as follows : — Dr. Douglas Hyde
(President), Miss Eleanor Hull (Hon. Secretary), Mr.
Samuel Boyle (Hon. Treasurer), and Messrs. E. W. Lynam
and Thomas D. Fitzgerald, Auditors.

In moving the re-election of the Hon. Secretary and Hon.
Treasurer, Mr. Eolleston and the Chairman spoke in very
appreciative terms of the unwearying services of Miss Hull
and Mr. Boyle.

The retiring members of the Council, Dr. England and
Dr. E. Collins, were re-elected, and Mr. Robert Flower
(British Museum) was elected to fill the vacancy caused by
the resignation of the Hon. Mary Spring Rice, who was
unable to attend.

This concluded the business of the meeting.

II

GENERAL RULES.

Objects.

1. The Society is instituted for the purpose of promoting the publication
of Texts in the Irish Language, accompanied by such Introductions, English
Translations, Glossaries, and Notes, as may be deemed desirable.

Constitution.

2. The Society shall consist of a President, Vice-Presidents, an Executive
Council, a Consultative Committee, and Ordinary Members.

Officers.

3. The Officers of the Society shall be the President, the Honorary
Secretary, and the Honorary Treasurer.

Executive Council.

4. The entire management of the Society shall be entrusted to the
Executive Council, consisting of the Officers of the Society and not more
than ten other Members.

5. All property of the Society shall be vested in the Executive Council,
and shall be disposed of as they shall direct by a two-thirds' majority.

6. Three Members of the Executive Council shall retire each year by
rotation at the Annual General Meeting, but shall be eligible for re-
election, the Members to retire being selected according to seniority of
election, or, in case of equality, by lot. The Council shall have power
to co-opt Members to fill up casual vacancies occurring throughout the
year. Any Member of Council who is absent from five consecutive
Ordinary Meetings of the Council to which he (or she) has been duly
summoned, shall be considered as having vacated his (or her) place on
the Council.

Consultative Committee.

7. The Consultative Committee, or individual Members thereof, shall
give advice, when consulted by the Executive Council, on questions relating
to the Publications of the Society, but shall not be responsible for the
management of the business of the Society.

Members.

8. Members may be elected either at the Annual General Meeting, or,
from time to time, by the Executive Council.

12

Subscription.

9 The Subscription for each Member of the Society shall be 7/6 per
annum (American subscribers, two dollars), entitling the Members to one
cop- (post free) of the volume or volumes published by the Society for the
year, and giving him the right to vote on all questions submitted to the
General Meetings of the Society.

10. Subscriptions shall be payable in advance on the 1st January in each
year.

11. Members whose Subscriptions for the year have not been paid are
not entitled to any volume published by the Society for that year, and any
Member whose Subscription for the current year remains unpaid, and who
receives and retains any publication for the year, shall be held liable for
the payment of the full published price of such publication.

12. The Publications of the Society shall not be sold to persons other
than Members, except at an advanced price.

13. Members whose Subscriptions for the current year have been paid
shall alone have the right of voting at the General Meetings of the Societj.

14. Members wishing to resign must give notice in writing to the
Honorary Secretary, before the end of the year, of their intention to do
so : otherwise they will be liable for their Subscriptions for the ensuing
year.

Editorial Fund.

15. A fund shall be opened for the remuneration of Editors for their
work in preparing Texts for publication. All subscriptions and donations
to this fund shall be purely voluntary, and shall not be applicable to other
purposes of the Society.

Annual General Meeting.

16. A General Meeting shall be held each year in the month of April,
or as soon afterwards as the Executive Council shall determine, when the
Council ishall submit their Report and the Accounts of the Society for the
preceding year, and when the seats to be vacated on the Council shall be
filled up, and the ordinary business of a General Meeting transacted.

Audit.

17. The Accounts of the Society shall be audited eac. year by auditors
appointed af the preceding General Meeting.

Changes in these Rules.

18. With the notice summoning the General Meeting, the Executive
Council shall give notice of any change proposed by them in these Rules.
Ordinary Members proposing any change in the Rules must give notice-
thereof in writing to the Honorary Secretary seven clear days before- the*
*iate of the Annual General Meeting.

13

LIST OF MEMBERS

(Members are earnestly requested to send Notice of Changes of Address
to the Hon. Sec, 20 Hanover Square, London, W., to avoid mis-postage of
Books and Notices *

NAMES.
Aherne. Rev. James

Anderson, J. Norrie, J. P.
Anwyl, Prof. Sir E., m.A.
Aden, Charies R.

Assessors, Board of

Banks, Mrs. M. M.
Barrett, Rev. Dr.
Barron, E. W.
Barry, Thomas
Bartholomew, J.
Beary, Michael, C.e.
Begley, Rev. John
Bell, H. Idris
Bergin, Prof. Osborn J.
Berkeley, George F. H.

Berry, Major, A.S.C., M.E.I.A.
Bewerunge, Rev. H.
Bigger, F. J., M.B.I.A,
Blaikie, W. B.

Bligh, Andrew
Boddy, J. K.

Boland, J. P., M.P.
Boland, P. J.
Borthwick, Miss N.

Boswell, C. S.

Bowers, James F.
Boyd, J. St. Clair, M.D.,
Boyle, Rev. Thomas, C.C.
Boyle, Samuel

Brannick, Laurence
Brennan, William F.

Brennan, Rev. C.
Brett, Sir Charles

ADDRESSES.

St. Agnes Church, South Omaha, Xe

braska, U.S.A.
Provost of Stornoway, Lewis, Scotland.
62 Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth.
Chichester House, Chancery Lane,

London, W.C.
per J. J. Keane, Secretary, Room 10,

City Hall, Holyoke, Mass., U.S.A.

7 Wadham Gardens, London, N.W.

St. Colman's College, Fermoy, Co. Cork.

Woodstown, Co. Waterford.

Woodview, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

56 India Street, Edinburgh.

Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

St. Munchin's, Limerick.

British Museum, London, W.C.

National University, Dublin.

Hanwell Castle, nr. Banbury, Oxford-
shire.

The Castle, Rich Hill, Co. Armagh.

St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.

Ardrie, Antrim Road, Belfast.

c/o Messrs. Constable & Co., University

Press, 11 Thistle Street, Edinburgh.
Camden House, Leighton Buzzard, Beds.
5 Apsley Villas, Clapham Rise, London,

S.W.
40 St, George's Square, S.W.

Glenarde, Galway.

c/o Irish Book Co.. 6 D'Olier Street,

Dublin.
Fairseat, Totnes.

2048 Howe St., Chicago, Ills., U.S.A.
Chatsworth House, Malone Road. Belfast.
Omeath, Co. Louth.
48 Trouville Rd., Clapham Park, London,

S.W.
Station K, Los Angeles, Cal., U.S.A.
11 North La Salle St., Chicago, Ills ,

U.S.A.
St. John's, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
Gretton, Malone, Belfast.

14

Brodrick, Hon. Albinia
Brooke, Rev. Stopford A., m.a.

Brophy, Michael M.
Brown, Professor A. C. L.

Bryant, Mrs., D.Sc.

Briinnow, Prof. Dr. R.
Buckley, James, m.e.i.a.
Buckley, Rev. Brendan, O.S.F.

Buckley, John J.
Buckley, Michael J.
Buckley, C. P.
Buckley, Daniel
Burchardi, Gustav. ph.d.
Burnside, W.

Byrne, G. P.

Ballincoona, Caherdaniel, Co. Kerry,
c/o J. Bain, 14 Charles St., Haymarket,

London, W.C.
48 Gordon Square, London, W.C.
Northwestern University, Evanstown,

Ills., U.S.A.
North London Collegiate School, Sandall

Road, London, N.W.
Vevey, Switzerland.

11 Homefield Road, Wimbledon, Surrey.
Franciscan Monastery, Mount Partry,

Ballinrobe, Co. MayO
National Museum, Dublin.
5 Iona Drive, Dublin.
Kilcock, Co. Kildare.
Maynooth, Co. Kildare,
18 Honor Oak Park. London, S.E.
The Croft, 28 Bromley Rd., Catford,

London, S.E,
H.B.M. Consulate General, Shanghai,

China.

Cady, Miss Ruth

Cahill, Vincent

Calder, Rev. George, b.d.
Campbell, Lord A.
Carbray, Felix, m.r.i.a.

Carey, Rev. Thomas M. R. ...

Carey, J.

Carrigan. Very Rev. Wm. Canon,

D.D., P.P., M.R.I.A.
Casey, Rev. Patrick, c.C.
Cassedy, James, B.A,
Castletown, Rt. Hon. Lord ...
Cavanaugh, Very Rev. John,

c.s.c
Chinnéide, Maire ni

Christian Brothers' School

Clongowes Wood College

Cochrane, Robert, ll.d., f.S.a.
Coffey, George, B.A., m.e.i.a.
Coghlan, Rev. G. P.
Cohalan, Very Rev. J. Canon,

P.P., v.F.
Colgan, Nathaniel
Colgan, Rev. Wm.
Collins, Edward, LL.D.

447 West 120th St., West Pullman, Ills..

U.S.A.
7 Lavagh Villas, Ashfield Rd., Ranelagh,

Dublin.
Strathfillan Manse, Tyndrum, Perthshire.
Inverary, Argyll, N.B.
c/o Carbray, Routh & Co., P.O., Drawer

1068, Quebec, Canada.
Presbytery, Eden Grove, Holloway,

London, X.
Clohanbeg N.S., Cooraclare, Co. Clare.
Durrow, Queen's Co.

Ballymacoda, Castlemartyr, Co. Cork.

6 Berkeley Street, Dublin.

52 Green St., Park Lane, London, W.

Notre Dame University, Notre Dame,
Indiana. U.S.A.

Seanaid, Carlingford Terrace, Drumcon-
dra, Dublin.

per Rev. Brother P. L. Lanigan, West-
port, Co. Mayo.

per Rev. J. V. Nolan, S.J., Rector,
Sallins, Co. Kildare.

17 Highfield Road, Rathgar, Dublin.

5 Harcourt Terrace, Dublin.

2141 Broad Street, Philadelphia, U.S.A.

The Presbytery, Bantry, Co. Cork.

15 Breffni Terrace, Sandycove, Co. Dublin

Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon.

E.D.O., Somerset House, London, W.C.

15

Collins, Jeremiah

Concannon, Thomas
Condon, Richard F.

Condon, Rev. R.

Connradh Chuilm Xaomtha ...

Considine, Rev. M., C.C.
• Convent of Our Lady of Mercy
Cooke, John, m.a., m.b.i.a.
Corkerry, Patrick
Costello, Thomas, m.d.
Costello, Rev. John
Courtauld, G.
Cox, Rt. Hon. Michael, m.d.,

p.c., M.R.I.A.
Crawford, W. R.

Crehan, Rev. B.. c.C.

Crimmins, Hon. John D.

Crone. Dr. J. S., J. p.

Cross, Professor T. Peete

Crowley, T., m.d.
Curran, Rev. Michael J.
Curran, Rev. W. H.

Curtis, Edmund

Dalton, Michael

Dalton, John P.

Day, Robert, J.p., f.s.a., m.r.i.a.

Degidon. Miss Nora F.

De Bhal, An fc-Athair Tomás ...
Delany, Very Rev. P. Canon.

D.D.. P.P.. V.F.

Delany. Very Rev. \V.. ll.d.,

M.E.LA.
De Lury, Alfred T.
Digby, Everard W.

Dillon, William

Dillon, John, m.p
Dobbs, Miss M. C.

Dodgson, Ed. Spencer, m.a. ...
Doherty, Anthonv J.

29 Willoughby St., Brooklyn, N.Y.,
U.S.A.

Clones, Co. Monaghan.

22 West Jackson Boulevard. Chicago, Ills.,
U.S.A.

Xoorebar. Cottage, Park St., Campsie,
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

(St. Columba'e League), St. Patrick's Col-
lege, Maynooth.

Kildysart, Co. Clare.

St. Peter's, Derry.

66 Morehampton Road, Dublin.

Bridge Street, Dingle, Co. ^erry.

Bishop Street, Tuam, Co. Galway.

7 Lower Exchange Street, Dublin.

Waver Farm, Wethersfield, Braintree.

26 Merrion Square, Dublin.

Croghan, 3 Salisbury Rd.. Wealdstone,

Harrow.
An Gleann, Baile-idir-dha-abhainn, Co.

Sligo.
Emmet Arcade, 624 Madison Avenue,

New York, U.S.A.
Kensal Lodge, Harrow Road, London,

X.W.
Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, Vir-
ginia, U.S.A.
Larchfield, Coachford, Co. Cork.
Archbishop's House. Dublin.
Corpus Christi House, Brixton Hill,

London, S.W.
80 Brookhouse Hill. Fulwood, Sheffield.

Yorks.

Killean, Victoria Place, Blackrock, Co.

Dublin.
Portarlington, Queen's Co.
Myrtle Hill House, Cork.
21 Solent Road. W.. Hampstead, London,

X.W.
Drumcollogher, Co. Limerick.
Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary.

St. Ignatius', 35 Lower Leeson Street.
Dublin.

University of Toronto, Canada.

c/o Messrs. Grindlay & Co., 54 Parlia-
ment Street, S.W.

1321 Lunt Avenue, Rogers Park. Chicago,
Ills., U.S.A.

2 North Great George's Street, Dublin.

Port-na-gabhlan, Cushendall, Co. Antrim.

Jesus College. Oxford.

Cruit X.S., Kincasslagh, Co. Donegal.

16

Dolan, James
Donnellan, Dr. P.
Donnelly, M. J., M.D.
Dottin, Prof. Georges
Douglas, W., M.D.
Dowley, Miss Una
Doyle, J. J.
Duffy, G. Gavan
Duignan, W. H.

Dunn, Professor Joseph

Eadie, Captain J. Inglis
England, Thos. A., ll.d.
Enschedé, M. Johannes
Esler, Mrs. Rentoul
Esmonde, Sir T. Grattan, Bart.

M.P.

Evans, Miss E. M.

Fahey, Rt. Rev. Monsignor J.,

D.D., P.P.

Farrell, R. W.

Fenton, James,
Fish, F. P.

Fitzgerald, Miss Ellen

Fitzgerald, M. J.
Fitzmaurice, Rev. E. B., o.S.F.
Flannery, T. J.
Fleming, Patrick J.

Flower, R.

Flynn, J. D.

Flynn, Michael . .

Fogerty, George J., R.N

Foley, P. J.

Foley, Miss Aine
Fraher, Daniel
Fraser, James, c.e.
Fynes-Clinton, 0. H.

Gabhann, Caitlin Nic
Gaelic League
Gaelic Leagu3

Gaelic League, London
Gaelic League, Coventry

Gaelic Society, Brockton

Gaelic Society, New York

Ardee, Co. Louth.

Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.

Summit Hill, Pa, U.S.A.

39 Boulevard Sévignó, Rennes, France.

Brandfold, Goudhurst, Kent.

Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary.

Inland Revenue, Adelaide Street, Belfast

22 Basinghall Street, London, E.G.

Gorway, Walsall.

Catholic University, Washington, D.C.,

U.S.A.
West Coker, Yeovil, Somerset.
E.D.O., Somerset House, London, W.C.
Huize " Ipenzode," Heemstede, Holland.
4 Queen's Road, Peckham, S.E.
Ballynastragh, Gorey, Co. Wexford.

St. Mary's, Ely, Cambridgeshire.
St. Colman's, Gort, Co. Galway.

Merrion, Thornford Road., Lewisham

Park, London, S.E.
Westport, Co. Mayo.
c/o Wm. Dawson & Sons, St. Dunstan's

House, Fetter Lane, E.C.
6035 Madison Avenue, Chicago, Ills.,

U.S.A.
18 King St., Snow Hill, London, E.C.
Franciscan Convent, Drogheda.
38 St. George's Road, Forest Gate, E
N.S., Clashnagarrane, Killarney, Co.

Kerry.
British Museum, London, W.C.
516 M. St. S.E., Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
Gaelic League, Co. Kerry.
67 George Street, Limerick.
The Grange, Lewisham Park, London,

S.E.
Ring, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.
Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.
Inverness, N.B.
Weirglodd Wen, Upper Garth Road.

Bangor, N. Wales.

Dangan. Summerhill. Co. Heath.

17 Thomas Street, Limerick.

(Craobh Daithi Ui Bhruadair), Broadfoxl,

Dromcollogher, Co. Limerick.
77 Fleet Street, London, E.C.
c/o Manus O'Donnell, Secretary, 5 Clifton

Terrace, Kenilworth, Coventry,
per John Bagge, Secretary, 8 Harvard

St., Brocton, Mass., U.S.A.
per Henry McGee, 47 West 42nd Street,

New York, U.S.A.

Gaffney, T. St. John

Gaffney, J. S., b.a., Solr.
Gahagan, F. Evett

Gaidoz, Professor Henri
Gallagher, Rev. J. S.

Gallwey, Col. Sir Thomas,

K.O.M.G., O.B.

Gannon, John P.
Garnett, Edward
Gayley, Professor Charles Mills

Geoghegan, Rich. H.
Gibson, Hon. Wm.
Gill, Michael J., b.a.
Gill, T. P.

Gleeson, Miss Evelyn
Glynn, J. A., B.A., Solr.
Glynn, Thomas
Glynn, Rev. P., p.p
.Godrill, Neville P.
Gogarty, Rev. Thomas, C.C. ...
Gomme, A. Allan

Gomme, Sir Laurence
Gordon, Principal
Grainger, Wm. H.. m.d.

Graves, A. Perceval, m.a.

Gray, Patrick

Green, J. S., Lieut.

K.A.M.C., m.r.i.a.
Greene, George A., m.a., litt.d.

-Col,

Gregory, Lady
Griffin, Miss G.
Groder, John M.

Leak*

American Consul General, Hotel Savoy,

Dresden, Saxony.
86 O'Connell Street, Limerick.
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O'Donovan, T.

Philip

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25

Scanlan, Joseph, m.d.
Scanlan, Rev. James, p.p.
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Schick, Dr. J.
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Seton, Malcolm C.

Shahan, Very Rev. Thos. J., D.D.
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Sheehan, Most Rev. R. A., D.D.,
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Sheehan, Rev. M.
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Sheran, Hugh F.
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Skrine, F. H.

Slatter & Rose
Smyth, F. Acheson

Smyth, Rev. H. P.

Stack, D.

St. Joseph's, Dundalk
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Thorp, Harold

Thurneysen, Prof. Dr. Rudolf
Tierney, Rev. C, B.D.
Tierney, Rev. John, D.PH.
Todhunter, Dr. John
Townshend, Miss C. M.
Treacy, John

Trench, Miss Margaret Chenevix
Trench, Prof. W. J. F.
Twigg, John Hill

Twomey, D. Ryan

Ua Fachtna, Uilliam
Ua Rathallaigh, Diarmuid P....
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Catholic University, Washington, U.S.A.
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37 Dalmore Road, West Dulwich, London,

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Mitre House, 16 High Street, Oxford.
19 Manor Road, Rugby.
Corner Oak Avenue and Lake Street,

Evanstown, Ills.
41 Elsham Road, Holland Park, London,

W.
per Rev. P. A. Kilbride, css.e., Rector.
Ardfert Abbey, Co. Kerry.
Record Office, Four Courts, Dublin.
Universitat, Freiburg in Baden, Germany
Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal.
Lay College, Carlow.
Orchardcroft, Bedford Park, London, W.
Castle Townshend, Co. Cork.
P.O. Station U., 103rd Street and 3rd

Avenue, New York, U.S.A.
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University College, Galway.
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James's Square, London, S.W.
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24 Etchingham Park Rd., Finchley,

London, N.
1 Adelphi Terrace, Strand, London, W.O.

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85 Rue d'Assas, Paris.
Downpatrick, Co. Down.
Freemount, Charleville, Co. Cork.
The Square, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.
Archbishop's House, Drumcondra,

Dublin.

2G

Walsh, Rev. Paul
Walshe, M. C., j.p.

Walsh, Rev. R. F., C.c.
Ward, John C.

Ward, James

Waters, George A., Fleet-Sur-
geon, R.N.
Watson, Mrs. E. E. Carmichael
Webster, K. G. T.
Weldrick, George
Westropp, T. J., m.a., m.e.i.a.
Wheeler, Miss Ethel Rolt

White, Colonel J. Grove. J.P.,

D.L.

White, Wm. Grove
White, Rev. H. F.? CM.

Whitworth, Mrs. Mary-
Williams, David
Williams, T. W.
Williams, Richard R.

Wilson, Rev. T., c.c.
Windisch, Prof. Dr. Ernest

Wood, Alexander

Woodstock College

Woulfe, Rev. Patrick, c.c. ...

Wright, A. R.

St, Finian's College, Mullingar.
10 Thayer Street, Manchester Square,

London. W.
Ruskey, Gortin. Co. Tyrone.
St. Eunan's College, Lettcrkenny, Co.

Donegal.
Tory Island, Co. Donegal.
H.M.S. " Drake," 5th Cruiser Squadron,

Gibraltar.
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19 Ash Street, Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.
40 Park Av., Sandymount, Co. Dublin.
115 Strand Rd., Sandymount, Co. Dublin.
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c/o Otto Harrassowitz, Leipzig (Univer-
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Kilmallock, Co. Limerick.

8 Cevlon Road, Honor Oak, London, S.E.

Yonkers Philo-Celtic Society
Yorke, Rev. Peter C.

Young, Miss Rosi9 M.
Young, P. T., ll.b.
Yule, A. F., Miss

10£ North Broadway, Yonkers, N.Y.
c/o " The Leader," 841 Stevenson Street,

San Francisco, U.S.A.
Galgorm Castle, Ballymena, Co. Antrim
13 Kew Terrace, Kelvinside, Glasgow.
Taradale, Ross-shire, Scotland.

27

LIBRARIES

Aberdeen, University Library
Baillie's Institution

Belfast University Library
Belfast Free Public Library
Belfast Library and Society for

Promoting Knowledge.
Berlin, Royal Library

Bibliothéque, Nationale, Paris

Birmingham Free Library
Blackrock, Carnegie Free Library
Boston Public Libra rv, Mass.

Cardiff Central Library.
Chicago Public Library

Chicago, University Library

Christiania, University Library

Cork, Carnegie Free Library

Copenhagen, Royal Library

Cork, University College Library ...

Detroit Public Library

Dresden Konigliche Oeffentlicke
Bibliothek

Dundalk, Free Library

per P. J. Anderson, Librarian,
per J. C. Ewing, Librarian.

153 West Regent Street, Glasgow,
per Librarian, Belfast.
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per George- Smith, Librarian.
10 Donegall Square, North, Belfast,
per Asher and Co., 14 Bedford St.,

Covent Garden, W.C.
per Simpkin, Marshall & Co., Ltd.,

31-32 Paternoster Row, London,

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Ratcliff Place, Birmingham.
Blackrock, Co. Dublin,
per Bernard Quaritch, 11 Grafton

Street, New Bond Street, London,

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Cardiff, South Wales,
per Stevens & Brown, 4 Trafalgar

Square, London, W.C.
per Stevens & Brown, 4 Trafalgar

Square, W.C.
per Cammermeyers Boghandel, Karl

Johans Gade, 41-43, Christiania,

Norway.
Anglesea St., Cork.
Copenhagen, Denmark,
per Librarian.

per Stevens & Brown, 4 Trafalgar
Square, W.C.

per Simpkin, Marshall & Co., Ltd.,
31-32 Paternoster Row, London,
E.C.

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Edinburgh Public Library
Edinburgh University Library

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Glasgow, Mitchell Library

per Hew Morrison, Librarian,
per J. Thin, 54-55 South Bridge,
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per Hodges, Figgis & Co., 104

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Librarian).

28

Grósserlich Universitat-Bibliothek

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per Asher & Co., 14 Bedford St.,

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per Stevens & Brown, 4 Trafalgar

Square, W.C.

per E. J. Allen & Co., Ltd., 14 Grape
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per Simpkin, Marshall & Co., 31-32
Paternoster Row, London, E.C.

per E. G. Allen & Co., Ltd., 14 Grape
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per Hodges, Figgis &
Grafton Street, Dublin.

Co.

104

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Limerick Carnegie Free Library
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London Library

Manchester Free Library

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Meyrick Library
Milwaukee Library, U.S.A.
Munich Royal Library

per T. W. Hand, Librarian.

per Otto Harrassowitz, Leipsig,
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Limerick.

per C. Cowell, Librarian.

per C. J. Hagbert Wright, Libra-
rian, St. James's Square, S.W.

per C. W. Sutton, Librarian, King
Street. Manchester.

per Stetchert & Co., 2 Star Yard,
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(E. C. Armstrong, Librarian), per
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per E. E. Genner, Librarian, Jesus
College, Oxford

per Stetchert & Co., 2 Star Yard,
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per Kegan Paul, Trench & Co., 68-74
Carter Lane, London, E.C.

National Library of Ireland

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Evanstown, U.S.A.
Nottingham Free Public Library ...

per Hodges, Figgis & Co., 104
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per John Ballinger, m.a., Librarian,
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per Stevens & Brown, 4 Trafalgar
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per Stevens & Brown, 4 Trafalgar
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29

Ottawa, Library of Parliament

per E. G. Allen & Co., Ltd., 14 Grape
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Philadelphia Free Library
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per Asher & Co., 14 Bedford St.,

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Washington, Library of Congress

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Yale Universitv Librarv

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per Kegan Paul. Trench & Co., 68-74

Carter Lane, London, E.C.

per E. J. Allen & Co., Ltd., 14 Grape
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30

LIST OF IRISH TEXTS SOCIETY'S PUBLICATIONS

IN HAND OR ISSUED.

(Issued 1899. Out of print.)
1. 510IU av\ fiu£4. [The Lad of the Ferule].

Oa6z\\a CLomne ttíj na n-lotuixM-oe [Adventure of the
Children of the King of Norway].

(16th and 17th century texts.)
Edited by DOUGLAS HYDE, LL.D.

(Issued 1899. Out of print.)

2. £le-o DpicretiT) [The Feast of Bricriu].

(From Leabhar na h-TJidhre, with conclusion from
Gaelic MS. xl. Advocates' Lib., and variants from B. M.
Egerton, 93; T.C.D. h. 3. 17; Leyden Univ., Is Yossii lat.
4a. 7.)

Edited by GEORGE HENDERSON, M.A., Ph.D.

(Issued 1900. Xciv Edition just ready.)
3. Dánc^ Ao-ó45Áin Hi ttaúAille [The Poems of. Egan
O'Rahilly]. Complete Edition.

Edited, chieflv from mss. in Maynooth College, by
REV. P. S. DINNEEN, M.A.

4. FojtAr Te^r^ av éitMtin [History of Ireland]. • By

Geoffrey Keating.

Edited by DAVID COMYN, Esq., M.R.I.A.
(Part I. formed the Society's volume for 1901.)

31
(Issued 1904.)

5. Caitréim Con§4iL CtÁirinsmj, preserved in a paper
MS. of the seventeenth century, in the Royal Irish
Academy (23 H. 1 C).

Edited by PATRICK M. MacSWEEXEY, M.A.

{Issued 1907.)

6. The Irish Version of Virgil's .Eneid from the Book
of Ballymote.

Edited by REV. GEORGE C ALDER, B.D.

(Issued 1908.)

7. T)u4n<Mre f^rm [Ossianic Poems from the Library of
the Franciscan Monastery, Dublin].
Edited bv Professor JOHN MacXEILL.

(Issued 1908.)
8 and 9. Vols. II. and III. of Keating's History of Ir^and.
Edited by REV. P. S. DINXEEN, M.A.

(Issued 1909.)
10. Two Arthurian Romances [e^cc^d m^c^omi ^n 1oUr
•<*5ur- Gacz^a ati tila-op^ ttl^oit.]

Edited by Professor R, A. S. MacALISTER, M.A.

(Issued 1910.)

11. Poems of David O'Bruada r. (Parti.).

Edited (in three Volumes) by REV. J. MacERLEAN, S.J.

32

(Issued 1911.)

12. New Edition of the Poems of Egan O'Rahilly.

Revised by TEIGUE O'DONOGHUE (ca-ó5 ó -Oo^ca-da)
and REV. P. S. DINNEEN.

VOLUMES IN PREPARATION

Poems of David O'Bruadair. Parts II. and III.
Edited by REV. J. MacERLEAN, S.J.

Buile Suibhne Geilt, A Middle-Irish Romance.

Edited by J, G. O'KEEFFE.

1om.dnti.4i-o r\& xr\X)Á\\T> [The Contention of the Bards].
Edited by comis ó nuAlláin.

The Irish Version of the Thebiad of Statius.

Edited by REV, GEORGE CALDER, B.D.

Dti4n^iite Ao-oa rmc SeÁwn Hi X)nom [The Poem book
of Hugh mac Shane O'Byrne].

Edited from the T.C.D. and Harvard MSS. of the
Book of the O'Byrnes, by JOSEPH H. LLOYD,
Gen. Editor to the Gaelic League.

The Poems of Teigue "Dall " O'Higgin,

Edited by MISS ELEANOR KNOTT.

The Society's Larger and Smaller Irish-English Dic-
tionaries, edited by Rev. P. S. Dinneen, M.A., price,
respectively, 7/6 net (member's price 6/-) and 2/6 net,
can be had of all Booksellers. Members must apply
direct to the Hon. Sec. to obtain the Larger Dic-
tionary at the reduced price.

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